<i>Taxodium </i>plant named ‘TDMTF’

Abstract

A new and distinct Taxodium cultivar named ‘TDMTF’ is disclosed, characterized by an upright habit and feather-like foliage which is closely spaced. Fall foliage color is orange. The new cultivar is a Taxodium, suitable for ornamental garden purposes.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Taxodium plant named ‘TDMTF’ as herein illustrated and described.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

(1) The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color typical trees of ‘TDMTF’ grown outdoors in Washington, Ga. The trees are approximately 3 years old, shown growing in the ground.

(2) FIG. 2 illustrates a close up of typical foliage of the new variety.

(3) 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

(4) In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 2007 except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘TDMTF’ plants grown outdoors in Loganville, Ga. Plants are approximately 2-3 years old, in a 3 gallon nursery container. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types. Botanical classification: Taxodium distichum ‘TDMTF’.

PLANT

(5) Growth habit: Upright deciduous, coniferous tree. Height: About 10 feet at 3 years. Plant spread: About 4 feet at 3 years. Typical growth rate: Moderate to rapid. Trunk characteristics: Diameter.—About 3.5 inches measured at approximately 3 inches above soil level at 3 years. Color.—Near RHS Greyed-Green 197D and 198A with vertical striations near 197A. Surface texture.—Striated, furrows immature, bark not yet fully formed, not yet peeling. Main stem: Diameter.—About 2 inches measured at the level of branching, at 3.5 years. Shape.—Round. Length.—About 5 to 7 feet at about 3.5 years. Internode length.—Average range 5 to 12 cm. Color.—Young: Near RHS Greyed-Red 178B. Mature: Near RHS Greyed-Green 198B. Surface texture.—Scaly. Branching habit: Acute, 15 to 45 degrees from center. Length of lateral branches: About 30 to 90 cm. Average number of lateral branches: About 30. Diameter of lateral branches: About 20 mm. Lateral branch color: Near RHS Greyed-Orange 177A, younger branches near Greyed-Orange 176A. Lateral branch strength: Strong. Lateral branch scales: Shape.—Awl-shaped. Length.—Average range 8 to 17 mm. Width.—Average range 5 to 9 mm. Texture.—Rough, slightly sharp. Color.—Near RHS Greyed-Orange 177D.

FOLIAGE

(6) Leaf: General description.—Soft, feathery and dense. No prickles and no spines. Arrangement.—Pinnate, sub-opposite foliage. Shape.—Lanceolate. Average length.—5 to 8 cm. Average width.—2.4 to 3 cm. Attachment.—Sessile. Pinnae per leaf.—Average range 50 to 80. Fragrance.—Weak. Pinnae: Shape.—Linear. Average length.—10 to 15 mm. Average width.—1 to 1.5 mm. Attachment.—Sessile. Apex.—Rounded. Base.—Truncate. Margin.—Entire. Texture of top surface.—Glabrous. Texture of bottom surface.—Glabrous. Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 139C. Young foliage under side: Near RHS Green 139C. Mature foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 137D. Mature foliage under side: Near RHS Green 137D. Fall foliage upper side: Near RHS Greyed-Orange N172A flushed N172C. Fall foliage under side: Near RHS Greyed-Orange N172A flushed N172C. Venation.—Indistinguishable from leaf blade.

FLOWER

(7) Monoecious, borne on pendulous panicles, of about 200 to 300 during Spring. Immature floral structures colored near Yellow-Green N144A, maturing to Grey-Brown 199A.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

(8) Cones/strobili: Female cones globular, deeply and irregularly ridged, about 2 to 2.5 cm in diameter. Colored near Green 138C, maturing to Grey-Brown 199A. Seeds flat, irregular deltate, colored near Brown 200B. Average 15 scales per cone. Disease and pest resistance: Neither resistance or susceptibility to normal diseases and pests of Taxodium distichum observed. Drought tolerance: No tolerance for drought observed. Taxodium distichum can be moderately drought tolerant once established. Wet soils well tolerated. Temperature tolerance: USDA Zones 5-9.