<i>Spathiphyllum </i>plant named ‘Sweet Isabella’

Abstract

Sweet Isabella is a new and distinctive variety of Spathiphyllum plant which is characterized by broad, dark green foliage, strong and rigid petioles, the lack of pollen production, and the stability of all characteristics from generation to generation. The new variety is typically produced as an indoor ornamental plant.

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of Spathiphyllum plant named Sweet Isabella, substantially as described and illustrated herein.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) 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.

(2) FIG. 1 shows, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color illustrations of this type, the typical foliage and growth characteristics of the new cultivar, Sweet Isabella. The plant shown is approximately 12 months old from a rooted cutting, potted into a 17 cm nursery pot, grown in a climate-controlled greenhouse in Roelofarendsveen, the Netherlands.

(3) FIG. 2 shows, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color illustrations of this type, the typical foliage of the plant in FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 3 shows, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color illustrations of this type, the typical flower of the plant in FIG. 1.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

(5) The following observations and measurements made in January of 2020 describe averages from a sample set of six specimens of 1 year old Sweet Isabella plants grown in 17 cm nursery containers at commercial greenhouse in Roelofarendsveen, the Netherlands. Plants were produced using conventional greenhouse production protocols for Spathiphyllum which consisted of 5,000 to 8,000 lux of light, regular overhead irrigation, fertilizer applications at an Electrical Conductivity level of 2.3. No chemical pest and disease control measures were taken. No photoperiodic treatments or artificial light was given to the plants.

(6) Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristics will vary with older or, conversely, with younger plants. Sweet Isabella has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Where dimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is to be understood that such measurements are approximations or averages set forth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety may differ from the descriptions set forth herein with variations in environmental, climactic and cultural conditions. Color notations are based on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, The Royal Horticultural Society, London, Sixth Edition.

(7) A botanical description of Sweet Isabella and comparisons with the parents and the most similar variety of common knowledge are provided below. General plant description: Growth habit.Clump forming; broad spreading to upright with foliage arising directly from the base of each clump. Plant profile.Broad obovate to near globular with inflorescences carried within the foliage. Height.78.0 cm in height, to the highest leaf; 77.0 cm to top of highest spathe. Width.Average 95.0 cm in width. Growth rate.Moderately fast to fast growing. Plant vigor.Highly vigorous. Propagation.Method Meristematic tissue culture. Time to initiate roots Approximately 28 days to initiate roots at approximately 21 degrees Centigrade. Crop time Approximately 35 weeks to produce a well-rooted 13 cm container from a rooted cutting. Environmental tolerances.Moderately high tolerance to rain and wind; tolerant of temperatures ranging from 5 to 40 degrees Celsius. Cold hardy to USDA Hardiness Zone 10. Pest resistance and susceptibility.Plants have not been observed to be any more or less susceptible or resistant to pathogens and pests common to Spathiphyllum. Root system: Moderately fibrous, not fleshy; moderately dense. Stems: Branching characteristics.Clumping plant with leaves emerging directly from the base of the plant; no lateral branching. Foliage: Arrangement.Alternate; equitant. Division.Simple. Attachment.Petiolate. Quantity of leaves per shoot.Average of 5. Quantity of shoots per plant.Average of 11. Quantity of leaves per plant.Approximately 55. Lamina.Shape Broad ovate to broad elliptic. Apex Apiculate to aristate. Base Short attenuate. Aspect Slightly carinate, slightly reflexed with leaf tip curled downward at an average angle of approximately 60 degrees to the balance of the laminar surface. Attitude Upright and slightly outward. Dimensions 36.8 cm long and 18.3 cm wide. Margin Entire; slightly undulate. Texture and luster, adaxial surface Smooth, glabrous, and glossy. Texture and luster, abaxial surface Smooth, glabrous, and moderately glossy. Juvenile color, adaxial surface Green, nearest to in between RHS NN137B and 141B. Juvenile color, abaxial surface Green, nearest to RHS 138A. Mature color, adaxial surface Nearest to in between green and yellow-green, RHS NN137A and N147A. Mature color, abaxial surface Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 147B. Venation Vein pattern Pinnate. Vein color, adaxial surface Green, nearest to RHS 143A. Vein color, abaxial surface Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 145A. Petiole, excluding geniculum.Length Approximately 39.2 cm. Width Approximately 0.55 cm at the geniculum and 1.0 cm at the base. Color, adaxial surface Green, nearest to RHS 137B. Color, abaxial surface Green, nearest to a mixture of RHS 137B and 137C. Texture and luster Smooth, glabrous, and very slightly glossy. Strength Strong. Geniculum Length Approximately 5.5 cm. Width Approximately 0.75 cm. Texture and Luster Smooth, glabrous and matte. Color Green, nearest to a mixture of RHS 138A and 138B. Petiole wings Length Approximately 27.0 cm. Width Approximately 1.1 cm. Color, adaxial surface Green, nearest to RHS 138B. Color, abaxial surface Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 144A. Inflorescence: Type.Spathe. Arrangement.Peduncles arise directly from the base of the plant with spathes carried at or below the foliar plane. Attitude.Near vertical. Dimensions.19.0 cm long, excluding the peduncle, and 5.4 cm wide; spathe is 3.1 cm deep. Flowering habit.Continuous. Quantity of spathes per plant.On average 6 fully open spathes, in good condition. Natural flowering season.Autumn into spring in the Netherlands, with occasional flowering in summer. Time to flowering.24 weeks from planting. Fragrance.Faint, sweet and pleasant (typical Spathiphyllum scent). Self-cleaning or persistent.Persistent. Flower longevity.Flowers stay in good condition approximately 3 weeks on the plant. Peduncle.Attitude Near vertical. Length 65.1 cm. Diameter 0.6 cm. Strength Strong. Texture and luster Smooth, glabrous and very slightly glossy. Color Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 144A. Spathe: Attitude.Near vertical. Aspect.Moderately to strongly concave. Length.Approximately 19.0 cm. Width.Approximately 5.4 cm. Depth.2.4 cm. Shape.Elliptic to ovate. Margin.Entire; very slightly undulate. Apex.Apiculate. Base.Long attenuate. Texture, inner and outer surfaces.Glabrous, slightly coriaceous. Luster, inner and outer surfaces.Inner surface is very slightly glossy; outer surface is moderately glossy. Color.Inner surface, when opening White, nearest to RHS 155C, and tipped yellow-green, nearest to RHS 144B. Outer surface, when opening White, nearest to RHS NN155A, and tipped yellow-green, nearest to a mixture of RHS 144A, 144B and 144C; main vein is also yellow-green, nearest to a mixture of RHS 144A, 144B and 144C. Inner surface, at maturity White, nearest to RHS 155C, and tipped yellow-green, nearest to RHS 144B; main vein is green-white, nearest to a mixture of RHS 157A and 157B. Outer surface, at maturity White, nearest to RHS NN155A, and tipped yellow-green, nearest to a mixture of RHS 144A and 144B; main vein is also yellow-green, nearest to a mixture of RHS 144A and 144B. Spadix: Attitude.At an average angle of 15 degrees to the peduncle. Shape.Oblong, columnar. Apex.Obtuse. Base.Obtuse. Length.Approximately 4.8 cm. Width.Approximately 1.6 cm. Color.When opening Yellow-white, nearest to RHS 158C. Mature Greyed-yellow, nearest to RHS 162D. Flowers.General Flowers are greatly diminished, to the point of being largely indistinguishable and immeasurable. Quantity of flowers per spadix Approximately 100. Arrangement Spirally placed on spadix. Shape Rounded. Diameter Approximately 0.4 cm. Height Approximately 0.3 cm. Reproductive organs: General.Reproductive organs are greatly diminished, to the point of being largely indistinguishable and immeasurable. Anthers.Color Yellow-white, nearest to RHS 158B. Pollen, amount.No pollen detected. Stigma.Quantity 1. Shape Conical. Dimensions 0.3 cm tall and 0.2 cm in diameter. Color Greyed-yellow, nearest to RHS 162D. Ovary color.Greyed-yellow, nearest to RHS 162D. Seed and fruit: Seed production has not been observed.

COMPARISONS WITH THE PARENT

(8) Plants of the new cultivar Sweet Isabella may be distinguished from the seed parent, Spathiphyllum sp. 09076-2 (not patented), by the following combination of characteristics: 1. Sweet Isabella does not produce pollen, whereas the seed parent does produce pollen.

(9) Plants of the new cultivar Sweet Isabella may be distinguished from the pollen parent, Spathiphyllum sp. 09076-4 (not patented), by the following combination of characteristics: 1. Sweet Isabella does not produce pollen, whereas the pollen parent does produce pollen.

COMPARISONS WITH THE MOST SIMILAR VARIETY OF COMMON KNOWLEDGE

(10) Plants of the new cultivar Sweet Isabella may be distinguished from the commercial variety Spathiphyllum Sweet Catalina (for which a United States Patent application is being filed concurrently with the instant application) by the following combination of characteristics: 1. Sweet Isabella exhibits larger spathes than those of Sweet Catalina. 2. Sweet Isabella exhibits larger foliage than that of Sweet Catalina. 3. Sweet Isabella is more vigorous when compared to Sweet Catalina.