<i>Sempervivum </i>plant named ‘Fire Quartz’

Abstract

A new and distinct variety of Sempervivum named ‘Fire Quartz’ that is characterized by a fast-growing single rosette of thick succulent leaves arranged in whorls with reduced production of offsets and flowers and whose foliage color is conditioned by regional growing conditions and nursery practices. Foliage color ranges from bright orange-red and green when plants have been overwintered in cold conditions to purple-red and green when plants have not receiving any winter chilling.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Sempervivum Plant Named ‘Fire Quartz’ as described and illustrated herein.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

(1) The accompanying photograph, FIG. 1, illustrates a two-year-old plant of ‘Fire Quartz’ which has been grown in a 2-gallon container out of doors in Oxnard, Calif. The photograph was taken in mid-July. The plant in the photograph has not received any winter chilling.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

(2) The following is a detailed botanical description of the new Sempervivum variety named ‘Fire Quartz’. Observations, measurements, values and comparisons were collected in Oxnard, Calif. in July 2020 from a two-year-old plant which has been grown out of doors in a 2-gallon container without any winter chilling. Color determinations are made in accordance with The 2007 Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart from London, England, except where general color terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The growing requirements of the new variety ‘Fire Quartz’ are similar to the species. Botanical classification: Family.—Crassulaceae. Genus and species.—Sempervivum hybrida. Denomination.—‘Fire Quartz’. Common names.—Stonecrop, Hens and Chicks, Houseleek. Parentage: Female Parent.—Sempervivum ‘Zundflamme’. Male Parent.—Unknown. Plant: Habit.—Basal rosette. Use.—Garden and landscape planting, especially in dry conditions, planted containers. Suggested commercial container size.—4-inch container (1-year-old plants), 2-gallon container (2-year-old plants). Propagation method.—Removal and rooting of offsets. Rooting system.—Fine and fibrous. Root color.—NN155C. Vigor.—Fast-growing through spring and early summer. Crop time.—A 4-inch container will be filled out after four months from planting a rooted offset. A two-gallon container will be filled out after two years from planting a rooted offset. Plant dimensions (two-year-old plant, 2-gallon container).—14 cm in height and 22 cm in diameter. Cultural requirements.—Grown in free-draining soil and water sparingly in morning or evening. Pest and disease resistance.—None known to the inventor. Pest and disease susceptibility.—None known to the inventor. Hardiness.—USDA Zone 4. Stem: Stemless. Foliage: Arrangement.—Leaves arranged in whorls. Whorl quantity (range).—10-12. Leaf quantity per whorl (range).—20-25. Leaf attachment.—Sessile. Leaf texture.—Succulent, fleshy. Leaf division.—Simple. Leaf margin.—Finely ciliate, hairs evenly spaced 0.25-0.5 mm apart, length 0.25-0.5 mm, angled towards base, color NN155D. Leaf surface: (abaxial and adaxial).—Glabrous, semi-glossy. Leaf shape.—Obovate. Leaf length (largest leaves).—8 cm. Leaf width (largest leaves).—3 cm. Leaf thickness (largest leaves).—6 mm. Leaf color.— Young leaves within tight rosette, unexposed to sunlight, both surfaces.—144D-145A. Older leaves in lower whorls, both surfaces.—Transition with age from 144D-145A to predominantly 59A. Margins and apex remain 144D-145A until leaf fully expanded. Leaf apex.—Mucronate, spine 2-3 mm in length, soft, color 183A. Leaf base.—Truncate. Venation.—Absent. Offsets: Offset description.—Emerge as whole plant rosettes on short stems within the older whorls. Stems lengthen with age. Offsets may be removed with stems attached for propagation. Offset quantity.—2-5 (2 only on observed plant). Offset stem dimensions (if not removed).—Up to 10 cm in length, 4 mm in diameter. Offset dimensions.—1.5-2.0 cm in height and diameter. Offset foliage description.—Whorled, leaves initially colored 144D-145A (both surfaces), becoming 59A on surfaces exposed to sunlight. Inflorescence: Inflorescences rarely observed and typical of the genus. Inflorescence type.—Terminal cyme. Inflorescence dimensions.—6 cm. in height, 5 cm in diameter. Blooming season.—Late summer or fall. Inflorescence quantity (if present).—1 or 2. Inflorescence stems (peduncles).—Initially upright, emerging from within the rosette of whorls, not from the base. Stems arch as inflorescence ages and dies. Stem texture.—Fleshy, surface downy. Stem dimensions.—20-30 cm. in length, 3-5 mm in diameter. Stem color.—144D-145A. Flower quantity.—Approximately 50 per cyme. Flower shape.—Stellar, radially symmetrical. Flower dimensions.—5 mm in height, 6 mm in diameter. Fragrance.—None observed. Lastingness of individual flower (on the plant).—10-14 days. Persistent or self-cleaning.—Persistent. Bud: Bud shape.—Spherical. Bud dimensions (immediately prior to opening).—3-4 mm in diameter. Bud surface.—Pubescent. Bud apex.—Rounded. Bud color.—26B. Petals: Petal quantity.—16. Petal color (both surfaces).—36D, becoming NN155C when flower is fully expanded. Petal shape.—Lanceolate. Petal apex.—Acute. Petal base.—Truncate. Petal margin.—Smooth, entire. Petal dimensions.—5 mm, 1 mm in width. Petal surface texture.—Matte, paper-like. Sepals: Sepal quantity.—16. Sepal shape.—Lanceolate. Sepal color.—Ranges between 34A and 34C except 46A towards apex. Sepal apex.—Acute. Sepal base.—Truncate. Sepal margin.—Smooth, entire. Sepal dimensions.—3-4 mm in length, 1 mm in width. Sepal surface texture.—Matte, abaxial surface pubescent. Pedicel: Pedicel shape.—Cylindrical. Pedicel color.—34C. Pedicel surface texture.—Glabrous. Pedicel dimensions.—8 mm in length and 2 mm in width. Reproductive organs: Stamens.—24-32 in number, arranged in one or two concentric rings around central pistil cluster. Filaments.—3-4 mm in length, color 46B. Anthers.—Develop within orange-red membrane, color 45C. Pollen.—Appears as membrane is shed, color 9A and bright, quantity moderate. Pistils.—Approximately 12 in number. Style.—Approximately 3 mm in length, color 17C. Stigma.—Conical, color 34C. Ovary.—Not observed. Seed: Extremely fine, dust-like, color dark grey.