<i>Lomandra </i>plant named ‘Olive Green’

Abstract

A new cultivar of Lomandra named Olive Green that is distinguishable by its numerous strap-like evergreen leaves which are formed into a dense plant habit which is arching, weeping and inwardly recurved and which bears sweetly fragrant inflorescences on short stems within the foliage canopy. In combination, these characteristics distinguish Olive Green from all other varieties of Lomandra known to the inventor.

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of Lomandra plant named Olive Green as described and illustrated herein.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The accompanying color drawings, FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, illustrate the appearance of the new Lomandra cultivar Olive Green showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type.

(2) FIG. 1 depicts the arching and weeping habit of Olive Green and the short inflorescences, which are borne entirely within the foliage canopy.

(3) FIG. 2 depicts a close-up view of an inflorescence panicle, showing the bark brown sepals, the yellow petals and the straw-like bracts, which are borne at the base of each whorl.

(4) Photographs were taken in Spring 2018 in Oxnard, Calif. using an 18 months old plant (from a tissue culture plantlet) grown out of doors under a light shade structure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

(5) The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of Olive Green. Observations, measurements, values, and comparisons were collected in January 2020 in Santa Barbara, Calif. from a two-and-a-half year old plant which had been grown out of doors eventually in a 10 gallon container. The plant was grown from a tissue culture (in vitro) plantlet. The plant had been grown naturally, without any pinching or use of chemical growth regulator. Color determinations were made in accordance with The 2007 Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart from London England, except where general color terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. Classification: Family.Asparagaceae. Genus.Lomandra. Species.confertifolia. Common name.Spiny-head mat-rush. Parentage: Female parent.Lomandra Little Con. Male parent.Unknown. Plant: Propagation method.Division, tissue culture. Rooting system.Rhizomatous. Rhizomes.3 cm to 5 cm in length, 1 cm to 2 cm in diameter, scaly, giving rise to densely packed fine and fibrous rooting system. Rhizome and root color.RHS 197D. Vigor.Vigorous division at base forming an increasingly large crown with age. Time to develop roots.Approximately 6 weeks are required for a newly planted tissue culture plantlet to become established on its own roots. Crop time.Approximately 18 months required to produce a plant which fills out in a 1 gallon container. Larger and older plants may be produced for immediate impact in the landscape. Suggested container size.1 gallon container and larger if desired. Use.Ornamental for use as a landscape plant or container plant. Type.Perennial in USDA Zones 8 and above. Overall dimensions.35 cm in height, 90 cm in width (at widest level of arching foliage). Cultural requirements.Grow in full sun with moderate water and well-draining soil. Hardiness.USDA Zone 8. Growth habit.Dense crown from which arching and weeping foliage arises, becoming inwardly recurved. Blooming season.Spring until fall. Lastingness of blooms.Each inflorescence (panicle) has some flower for 14 days, individual flowers last for 5 to 7 days. Leaves: Olive Green bears evergreen weeping foliage in which the leaves arise directly from a surface crown. No stems or petioles are apparent. Shape.Simple, strap-like. Margins.Entire, parallel except for upper most 5 cm towards apex. Length.70 cm. Diameter.5 mm, tapering to 3 mm towards apex. Color.RHS 137C (both surfaces). Shape.Longitudinally concave. Surface texture (both surfaces).Smooth, glabrous, non-glaucous. Strength.Stiff, wiry. Aspect.Leaves initial vertical to approximately 20 cm in length, then bending, arching and eventually inwardly recurving. Venation.Parallel. Margin.Entire. Apex.2 or 3 toothed, each tooth ranging between 1 mm and 2.5 mm in length. Toothed section invariably necrotic, color 161D. Band (at interface between toothed apex and remainder of leaf blade).Narrow, 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm in width, color RHS 200A (both surfaces). Sheathing.Leaf is sheathed around culm for approximately 5 cm before becoming free. Width of sheath (when flattened) 8 mm to 13 mm. Color of sheath (adaxial surface): both RHS 183A and RHS 158C are present. Color of sheath (abaxial surface): RHS 158C. Base.Truncate. Inflorescence: Type.Rigid panicle consisting of male flowers only; flowers borne in whorls along the rachis. Inflorescence is held entirely within the foliage mound. Dimensions.10 cm to 12 cm in overall length, 3 cm in overall diameter. Number of flowers per panicle.10 to 12 flowers per whorl, 30 to 35 whorls per panicle. Bloom period.Spring. Lastingness of some color in inflorescence.14 days. Fragrance of inflorescence.Sweet, as citrus blossom. Peduncle: Length (to base of rachis).5 cm. Shape (section).Ellipsoidal. Width.4 mm. Depth.1.5 mm. Texture.Glaucous. Color.RHS 187A. Pedicel: Absent on newest (uppermost) flowers towards apex. Length (lower, older flowers).Increasing to 5 cm. Diameter.0.5 mm. Shape.Round. Texture.Glaucous. Color.RHS 187A. Bracts: Bracts present singly or in pair at base of each whorl. Shape.Narrowly lanceolate to needle-shaped apex. Dimensions.Up to 15 mm in length, 4 mm in width at truncate base. Texture, color.Dry, straw-like, RHS 158C. Flowers: Dioecious, male only. Buds.Length: 2.5 mm. Diameter: 2.0 mm. Shape: Ovoid, apex subacute. Color: RHS N186C (unfused sepals such that petal color 13C is exposed). Sepals.Sepals: 3 in number, freely attached to base of calyx. Calyx base, small, rounded, approximately 1 mm in diameter, color RHS 199D. Sepal shape: Triangular, 3 mm in length, 1 mm in width at sepal base. Sepal surface, color (both surfaces): glossy, RHS N186C. Corolla.Very short tube, approximately 1 mm in length, petals soon free. Tube color: RHS 13C. Petals.Petals: 3 in number, rotate, protruding 1 mm beyond sepals. Shape: Triangular, 4 mm in length, 1 mm in width at petal base. Petal surface, color (both surfaces): Glossy, RHS 13C. Reproductive organs: Dioecious, male flowers only. Stamens (up to 6 in number) evident under magnification, entirely inserted within short corolla tube. No other reproductive elements have been observed. Seed has not been observed. Disease and pest resistance or susceptibility: None observed.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL LINES AND KNOWN VARIETY

(6) Olive Green may be compared with the known female parent, Lomandra Little Con by their respective plant habits. Whereas Little Con grows with an upright plant habit, the plant habit of Olive Green is arching and weeping. The identity of the male parent is unknown.

(7) Olive Green may be compared with the Lomandra variety Emerald Grace (unpatented). While the foliage of Olive Green and Emerald Grace are similarly mid-green in color, the leaves of Emerald Grace are narrow and held upright, while the leaves of Olive Green are broader and strap like, and are weeping.