<i>Neoregelia </i>plant named ‘Dharma’

Abstract

A new and distinct cultivar of Neoregelia plant named ‘Dharma’, characterized by its broad and outwardly arching growth habit; relatively broad leaves that are arching and recurved in aspect; leaves that are dark green in color with distinct light yellow green-colored stripes and margins and red purple-colored apices; upper leaves are red purple in color; flower development is not required for red purple color development; and good interiorscape and landscape performance.

Claims

1. A new and distinct Neoregelia plant named ‘Dharma’ as illustrated and described.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

(1) The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Neoregelia plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors of the new Neoregelia plant.

(2) The photograph on the first sheet is a top perspective view of a typical flowering plant of ‘Dharma’ grown in a container.

(3) The photograph on the second sheet is a close-up view of a typical flowering plant of ‘Dharma’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

(4) The aforementioned photographs and following observations, measurements and values describe flowering plants grown during the spring in 15-cm containers in a polypropylene-covered greenhouse in Princeton, Fla. and under cultural practices typical of commercial Neoregelia production. During the production of the plants, day temperatures ranged from 18° C. to 30° C., night temperatures ranged from 18° C. to 22° C. and light levels about 2,500 foot-candles. Plants were twelve months old when the photographs and description were taken. In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2015 Edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. Botanical classification: Neoregelia carolinae X (Neoregelia macrosepala X Neoregelia meyendorfii) ‘Dharma’. Parentage: Female, or seed, parent.—Unnamed proprietary selection of Neoregelia carolinae, not patented. Male, or pollen, parent.—Unnamed proprietary selection of Neoregelia macrosepala X Neoregelia meyendorfii, not patented. Propagation: Type.—By offsets. Time to initiate roots, summer.—About 30 to 45 days at ambient temperatures about 28° C. to 30° C. Time to initiate roots, winter.—About 45 to 60 days at ambient temperatures about 28° C. to 30° C. Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer.—About three months at ambient temperatures about 28° C. to 30° C. Time to produce a rooted young plant, winter.—About four months at ambient temperatures about 18° C. to 22° C. Root description.—Fine, fibrous; typically brown to beige in color, actual color of the roots is dependent on substrate composition, water quality, fertilizer type and formulation, substrate temperature and physiological age of roots. Rooting habit.—Moderately freely branching; medium density. Plant description: Plant and growth habit.—Broad and outwardly arching growth habit; leaves in rosettes; plants readily produce uniform offsets; vigorous growth habit. Plant height.—About 15 cm. Plant diameter or spread.—About 47.5 cm. Internode length.—About 2 mm. Stem diameter at the soil level.—About 3 cm. Stem texture.—Smooth, glabrous. Stem color.—Close to NN155A. Leaf description: Arrangement.—Rosette, spiral phyllotaxis; simple; sessile, clasping. Shape.—Narrowly oblong with broad sheathing base. Apex.—Cuspidate to short aristate. Base.—Truncate, clasping. Margin.—Serrate, spinose. Length.—About 23 cm. Width, mid-section.—About 6.5 cm. Width, towards the base.—About 7.25 cm. Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces.—Smooth, glabrous; leathery; narrowly and longitudinally ribbed; glossy, shiny. Venation pattern.—Parallel. Color.—Lower leaves, upper surface: Centers, close to 147A and NN137A; towards the base, fading to close to 160C to 160D; longitudinal stripes and margins, close to 144A, 8C, 8D and 157A; towards the apex, close to 53A; venation, similar to lamina colors. Lower leaves, lower surface: Centers, close to 146A; towards the base, fading to close to 160C to 160D; longitudinal stripes and margins, close to 157A, 8C and 8D tinged with close to 144A; venation, similar to lamina colors. Upper leaves, upper surface: Close to 53A; venation, close to 53A; flowering is not required for red purple coloration to develop on upper leaves and lower leaf apices. Upper leaves, lower surface: Close to 53A and 53B; venation, close to 53A and 53B. Inflorescence description: Inflorescence form.—Terminal flat-topped compact corymb located inside the leaf rosette; about 104 flowers develop per inflorescence. Time to flower.—Plants begin flowering about 60 to 80 days weeks after planting; plants flower naturally during the spring in Florida. Flower longevity.—Individual flowers last about two to three days on the plant; flowers persistent. Fragrance.—None detected. Inflorescence height.—About 3 cm. Inflorescence diameter.—About 4.5 cm. Flower size.—Length: About 2.75 cm. Diameter: About 5 mm. Petals.—Quantity per flower: Three in a single whorl. Shape, free part: Lanceolate. Apex: Sharply acuminate. Base: Truncate, fused at the base. Margin: Entire. Length: About 3 cm. Width at base of free part: About 3 mm. Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous; slightly glossy. Color: When opening and fully opened, upper (inner) surface: Close to 93C; towards the base, close to NN155D. When opening and fully opened, lower (outer) surface: Close to 93D; towards the base, close to NN155D. Flower bracts.—Quantity per flower: One. Shape: Narrowly and elongated deltoid. Length: About 2 cm. Width: About 6 mm. Texture, upper and lower surfaces: Membranous and translucent. Color, upper and lower surfaces: Close to 145D. Sepals.—Not observed on plants of the new Neoregelia. Peduncles.—Length: About 1.5 cm. Diameter: About 1.4 cm. Strength: Strong. Aspect: Typically erect. Texture: Smooth, glabrous. Color: Close to NN155D. Pedicels.—Length: About 5 mm. Diameter: About 4 mm. Strength: Strong. Aspect: Depending on position in the inflorescence, typically erect to outward and curving upright. Texture: Smooth, glabrous. Color: Close to 155A. Stamens.—Quantity per flower: Six. Filament length: About 1.1 cm; partially adnate to the petals. Filament color: Close to NN155D. Anther shape: Lanceolate. Anther length: About 2.5 mm. Anther color: Close to 158C. Pollen amount: None observed. Pistils.—Quantity per flower: One. Pistil length: About 1.5 cm. Stigma shape: Elongated oblong. Stigma color: Close to 157C. Style length: About 1 cm. Style color: Close to NN155D. Ovary color: Close to 155A to 155B. Fruits and seeds.—To date, fruit and seed production have not been observed on plants of the new Neoregelia. Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Neoregelia have been observed to tolerate temperatures ranging from about 2° C. to about 37° C. Interior & garden performance: Plants of the new Neoregelia have been observed to have good postproduction longevity under interior conditions, to have good garden performance and to tolerate temperatures ranging from 2° C. to 37° C. Pathogen & pest resistance: To date, resistance to pathogens and pests common to Neoregelia plants has not been observed.