<i>Styrax </i>plant ‘RNI-Rixred’

Abstract

A new and distinct cultivar of Styrax plant named ‘RNI-RIXRED’ is disclosed, characterized by dark, glossy foliage with emerging new growth colored bronze. Flowers bloom twice per year, in spring and again in fall. Petite, white flowers have a shiny quality. The new variety is a Styrax, normally used for outdoor ornamental purposes.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Styrax plant named ‘RNI-RIXRED’ as herein illustrated and described.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

(1) The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates a flowering plant outdoor in a 5 gallon pot at approximately 4 years old

(2) FIG. 2 illustrates in full color a typical plant of ‘RNI-RIXRED’ in a trial field in Grand Haven, Mich. at approximately 6 years old.

(3) FIG. 3 illustrates a close-up of the flowers.

(4) The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

(5) In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 2015 except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘RNI-RIXRED’ plants grown in a poly-house in Grand Haven, Mich. The growing temperature ranged from approximately 18° C. to 27° C. during the day and from approximately 5° C. to 10° C. during the night. General light conditions are normal sunlight and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types. Botanical classification: Styrax japonicus ‘RNI-RIXRED’.

PROPAGATION

(6) Type of propagation typically used: Rooted cutting. Time to initiate roots: 2 weeks. Time to produce a rooted cutting: 1 month to fill out a band pot during winter. Root description: Thin, dense, fibrous, freely branching. White in color, not accurately measured with R.H.S. Chart.

PLANT

(7) Plant type: Perennial tree. Age of the tree described: Approximately 5 years. Container size: 10-gallon container. Overall plant shape: Upright small tree with an ovate canopy. Growth habit: Upright. Plant vigor: Moderate. Canopy density: Dense. Tree spread: 100 cm. Tree height: 195 cm. Growth rate: Approximately 6 years to reach 7 feet. Branching characteristics: Branches alternatingly along main trunk starting 7 to 25 cm from soil level. Length of primary lateral branches: Approximately 100 cm. Diameter of lateral branches: Approximately 1 cm. Approx. quantity of lateral branches: 10 to 15. Angle of lateral branches from main trunk: 20 to 45 degrees. Trunk: Diameter.—Approximately 1.5 cm, after 4 years, measured at 10 cm in height. Texture.—Coarse, slightly peeling. Color.—Near RHS Grey-Brown 199C and 199D Internode length: 2.5 cm.

FOLIAGE

(8) Leaf: Arrangement.—Alternate, single. Average length.—6 to 7 cm. Average width.—3 cm. Shape of blade.—Oblanceolate. Aspect.—Slightly reflexed and very slightly undulate. Apex.—Acuminate. Base.—Obtuse. Margin.—Slightly serrulate. Texture of top surface.—Smooth, with pronounced venation. Texture of bottom surface.—Smooth, with pronounced venation. Color.—Young foliage upper side: Newest growth — RHS Greyed-Orange 166A. Young growth — RHS Brown 200A. Young foliage under side: Newest growth — RHS Greyed-Orange 166A. Young growth — RHS Brown N200A. Mature foliage upper side: RHS Yellow-Green 146B. Mature foliage under side: RHS Yellow-Green 146B. Venation.—Type: Pinnate. Venation color upper side: RHS Yellow-Green 146B. Venation color under side: RHS Yellow-Green 146B. Petiole.—Length: 1 cm. Diameter: 2 mm. Texture, upper side: Smooth. Texture, under side: Smooth. Color, upper side: RHS Yellow-Green 146B. Color, under side: RHS Yellow-Green 146B.

FLOWER

(9) Natural flowering season: May-June, September-October. Flowers: Arrangement.—Single axillary flowers in small groups of 8 to 10. Type.—Single flowers on axillary branches. Quantity of flowers per lateral stem.—40 to 50. Quantity of buds per lateral stem.—40 to 50. Quantity of flowers and buds per plant.—750 to 1000. Diameter.—2 cm. Length.—2 cm. Depth.—1 cm. Aspect.—Drooping. Shape.—Bell-shaped with 5 curling petals arranged in a whorl. Persistence.—Self-cleaning. Fragrance.—Sweet and floral. Petals: Arrangement.—Star-like, whorled around base. Appearance.—Soft and silky. Number.—5. Shape.—Lanceolate. Margin.—Entire. Tip shape.—Acute. Base shape.—Fused. Length.—12 mm. Width.—4 mm. Texture.—Upper: Soft and silky. Lower: Soft and silky. Color.—When opening: Upper surface: RHS White NN155C. Under surface: RHS White NN155C. Fully opened: Upper surface: RHS White NN155C. Under surface: RHS White NN155C. Bud: Shape.—Egg-shaped. Length.—4 to 5 mm. Diameter.—3 mm. Color.—RHS Green 138B with Yellow-Green 147D at tips. Sepals: Appearance.—Diminutive. Arrangement.—Whorl. Number.—5. Shape.—Triangular. Tip.—Acute. Base.—Fused. Margin.—Entire. Length.—1 mm. Width.—1 mm. Texture, upper side.—Smooth. Texture, under side.—Smooth. Color, upper side.—RHS Yellow-Green 147D, fading to Green 138B. Color, under side.—RHS Yellow-Green 147D, fading to Green 138B. Calyx: Shape.—Collar-like, cupping base of flower. Length.—6 mm. Diameter.—3 mm. Color.—RHS Yellow-Green 147D Peduncle: Length.—12 mm. Diameter.—1 mm. Texture.—Velvety. Color.—RHS Green 138B. Strength.—Good, flexible. Angle.—30° to 45°. Pedicel.—None.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

(10) Stamens: Number.—9 to 10. Filament length.—5 mm. Filament color.—RHS White NN155C. Anthers: Shape.—Linear. Length.—4 mm. Color.—RHS Greyed-Yellow 162A. Pollen.—Amount: Plentiful. Color: RHS Greyed-Yellow 162A. Pistil: Number.—1. Length.—10 mm. Style.—Length: 9 mm. Color: RHS White NN155C. Ovary Color: RHS White NN155C. Stigma: Shape.—Round. Color.—RHS Greyed-Yellow 162A. Other flower characteristics: Petals have a slight sparkling quality; two flowering periods (May-June, September-October).

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

(11) Fruits and seeds: Not observed to date. Disease/pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to normal diseases and pests of Styrax observed. Temperature range: Observed to tolerate a temperature range from −23.3° C. to 37.7° C.