<i>Crassula </i>plant named ‘Daydream’

Abstract

A new and distinct variety of Crassula plant named ‘Daydream’ is disclosed, characterized by an unusual, stable, tricolor variegation, comprised of leaves with cream yellow margins, tipped with raspberry and often blushing rose in cooler weather. The central areas of the leaves are apple green, and exhibit occasional splashes of rose or cream yellow. In addition, the new cultivar ‘Daydream’ offsets heavily, enhancing production in the commercial nursery. The new variety is a Crassula, part of the Crasulaceae family that includes Crassula, Pachyphytum, Graptopetalum, Sedum and others. Crassula is a popular genus, typically produced as container plants or as landscape plants.

Claims

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

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

(1) The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and equipment. While the colors in these photographs may display variances of color as compared to the living cultivar, due to LRV (light reflectance value), they are as accurate as possible using conventional photographic techniques. Colors in the photographs may appear to differ slightly from the color values cited in the botanical description, which accurately describe the colors of the new cultivar Crassula ‘Daydream’.

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a plant of Crassula ‘Daydream’, at about 9 months, grown at a nursery (approximately 2500 foot candles) in Vista, Calif.

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates in full color a closer view of the foliage of the plant of FIG. 1.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

(4) In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2007 edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘Daydream’ plants grown in a commercial nursery in Vista, Calif. Temperatures ranged from about 2° C. to 39° C. No artificial light, photoperiodic treatments or chemical treatments were given to the plants. Natural light conditions were approximately 2500 to 3000 fc of light. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types. Botanical classification: Crassula capitella ‘DAYDREAM’. Propagation: Type of propagation typically used: Terminal vegetative divisions. Time to initiate roots: About 16 days at approximately 25° C. Root description: Fibrous. Plant: Age of plant described: Approximately 9 months. Container size of the plant described: 1 gallon pot. Growth habit: Multi-branched shrublet. Height: Approximately 12 cm. Plant spread: Approximately 28 cm. Growth rate: Moderately fast. Branching characteristics: Abundant sub-opposite lateral branches. About 4 breaks from a pinch on average. Length.—Main branches about 5 cm to 8 cm, lateral branches about 5 cm to 10 cm. Width.—5 mm. Color.—Lowermost colored near Greyed-Orange 174D. Uppermost Yellow-Green 144D. Texture.—Glabrous. Strength.—Moderately strong. Internode.—About 1 cm. Foliage: Leaf: Arrangement.—Opposite decussate. Average length.—Approximately 2.5 to 3.0 cm. Widest width.—Approximately 8 to 11 mm. Shape of blade.—Oblanceolate. Apex.—Acute. Base.—Truncate. Margin.—Entire to very minutely deritate. Texture of top surface.—Glabrous. Texture of bottom surface.—Glabrous. Quantity of leaves per plant.—Average 16 to 24 per branch. Color.—Young foliage upper side: Center near Green 138B, thick margins near Yellow-White 158D, overall, slightly flushed Red-Purple 61D. Young foliage, under side: Center near Green 138B, thick margins near Yellow-White 158D, overall strongly flushed. Red-Purple 61B. Mature foliage upper side: Center near Green 138B, thick margins near Yellow-White 158D. Marginal flush near Red-Purple 61B. Mature foliage upper side: Center near Green 138B, thick margins near Yellow-White 158D. Marginal flush near Red-Purple 61B. Venation.—Indistinguishable from leaf blade. Flower: Flowering not observed to date. Reproductive organs: Unknown, flower has not yet been observed. Other characteristics: Fruits and seeds.—Unknown; has not flowered to date. Temperature tolerance.—Tolerates temperatures from approximately 2° C. to 39° C. Disease/pest resistance.—No increased nor decreased resistance to normal diseases and pests of Crassula has been observed. Drought tolerance.—Tolerates at least 3 weeks of high temperatures without supplemental water, showing no serious damage to plant.