<i>Sansevieria </i>plant named ‘NITE LITE’

Abstract

A new and distinct cultivar of Sansevieria aubrytiana plant named ‘NITE LITE’ particularly characterized by its variegated foliage with irregular, differently green toned bands with light green bands; wide and lanceolate leaves, supported in a rosette; 50-80 cm plant height; erect plant habit, high drought tolerance with low need for water and resistant to antrachnose (Colletotrichum sansevieriae).

Claims

1. A new and distinct Sansevieria plant named ‘NITE LITE’, substantially as illustrated and described herein.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

(1) The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Sansevieria cultivar ‘NITE LITE’ showing the colors as true as is reasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color value cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the color of ‘NITE LITE’.

(2) FIG. 1—Shows a side view of a six-month old plant of Sansevieria ‘NITE LITE’ in a 26 cm diameter pot.

(3) FIG. 2—Shows a pot down view of a typical six-month-old plant of Sansevieria ‘NITE LITE’.

(4) FIGS. 3A-3B—Shows a close-up view of the typical leaves of Sansevieria ‘NITE LITE’ from a six-month old plant (upper side-A, under side-B).

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

(5) The new Sansevieria ‘NITE LITE’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of the plant.

(6) The photographs, together with the following observations, measurements and values describe the new Sansevieria cultivar ‘NITE LITE’ as grown in open field conditions in Monterrey, San Carlos, Alajuela province, Costa Rica, which closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice. ‘NITE LITE’ was grown in tropical lowlands in Costa Rica with day lengths of 12 to 13 hours and ambient temperature to 85 degrees. The level of relative humidity was 80%. No supplementary artificial light is necessary.

(7) This crop does not require constant fertilization, to increase production per area about 200 kg ha-1 N, 150 kg ha-1 of P and 100 kg-ha K are required, the production is closely related with soil conditions in which they are grown.

(8) Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), except where general colors of ordinary significance are used. The photographs and descriptions were taken where general colors of ordinary significances are used. The photographs and descriptions were taken during the rainy season in Monterrey, San Carlos, Alajuela province, Costa Rica, with outdoor day temperatures of 24.5° C. during the day and 18° C. at night. The age of the plants described is 8 months. Classification: Botanical.—Sansevieria aubrytiana. Variety denomination.—‘NITE LITE’. Parentage: Sansevieria aubrytiana ‘Yellowstone’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 31,361 P2). Optimal growth conditions: Light intensities.—High adaptability to outdoor or indoor conditions. Temperature.—Day: 24° C. to 32° C. Night: 18° C. to 23° C. Temperature tolerance.—Tolerant to a low temperature of about 12° C. and tolerant to a high temperature of about 35° C. Fertilization.—200, 150 and 100 kg ha.sup.−1 of N, P and K. Growth regulators.—Not necessary. Propagation: Type.—Vegetative, by rooted cuttings. Rooting habit and description.—Rhizomes, with short roots. Time to initiate roots.—About 12 to 22 days at 20-25° C. Time to produce a rooted cutting.—About 15 to 22 days at 20-22° C. Plant: General appearance and form.— Height.—About 80 cm when grown in ground. About 50 cm when grown in a 26 cm size container. Spread.—About 15 cm when grown in ground. About 12 cm when grown in 26 cm size container. Form.—Monocot; leaf bases arranged in a rosette around growth point. Shape.—Cylindrical. Growth rate and habit.—About 2 cm per week; upright. Fragrance.—None. Stem.—Modified (Rhizome and foliage). Length: About 12 cm when grown in ground. About 8 cm when grown in 21 cm size container. Diameter: About 3.0 cm to 4.0 cm. Shape: Round. Texture: Rough. Color: RHS 4D. Strength: Strong and durable. Internode length: About 0.6 mm to 0.8 mm. Foliage: Quantity.—About 4-6 leaves. Arrangement and attachment.—Single, alternate; leaf bases arranged in a rosette around growth point. Leaf length.—About 30 cm. Leaf width.—About 9 cm. Overall shape of leaf.—Lanceolate. Apex shape.—Acute, triangular. Base shape.—Plane. Margin.—Sharp, smooth. Texture.—Upper Surface: Smooth and waxy texture. Under Surface: Smooth and waxy texture. Pubescence.—Upper Surface: None. Lower Surface: None. Color of mature leaf.—Upper Surface: RHS 143 A and RHS 149 C. Lower Surface: RHS 140 D, RHS 141 C and RHS 145 C. Color of immature leaf.—Upper Surface: RHS 143 A and RHS 149 C. Lower Surface: RHS 140 D, RHS 141 C and RHS 145 C. Venation.—Pattern: Longitudinal/parallel leaf shape. Color: None. Leaf fragrance.—None. Inflorescence description: Arrangement and type.—Inflorescence. Orientation at opening.—Out of the spile. Quantity.—Per Plant with at least one open flower: About 60 at 2 weeks. Inflorescence size.—Length: About 35 cm. Diameter: About 1.2 cm. Flower size.—Length: About 6 cm. Diameter: About 0.5 cm. Depth: About 0.5 cm. Fragrance.—None. Bud.— Rate of opening.—About 7 to 8 days, according to weather. Shape.—Ovoid. Length.—About 2 cm. Diameter.—About 1 cm. Color.—Apex: RHS 149 B. Base: RHS 142 B. Texture (both surfaces).—Smooth. Reproductive organs: (None observed). Androecium.—Stamen: Number: 6 per flower. Length: About 1.2 mm. Color: RHS 150 D. Anther: Length: About 4 mm. Width: About 1 mm. Color: RHS 150 D. Filament: Length: About 1.3 mm. Color: RHS 150 D. Pollen: Amount: Moderate. Color: RHS 150 D. Gynoecium.—Pistil: Number: One per flower. Length: About 1.5 mm. Stigma: Length: About 0.5 mm. Width: About 1 mm. Color: RHS 150 D. Style: Length: About 20 mm. Color: RHS 150 D. Ovary: Length: About 5 mm. Width: About 4 mm. Color: RHS 143 A. Weather resistance: Drought Tolerant. Disease/pest resistance: High resistance to antrachnose (Colletotrichum sansevieriae). Disease/pest susceptibility: Not observed so far.