<i>Rhaphiolepis </i>plant named ‘DB-01’

Abstract

A new and distinctive Rhaphiolepis indica plant, characterized by its compact, mounding form, unique branching structure, and white flowers flushed with pink at first opening. Plants grow wider than tall, are drought tolerant, and do not require pruning. Cold tolerance has been observed to USDA Zone 7B. In container culture, plants are observed to have a superior shelf-life. The new plant is a Rhaphiolepis, typically useful as a landscape plant.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Rhaphiolepis indica plant named DB-01, substantially as described and illustrated herein.

Description

p BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

(1) The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates a typical plant of DB-01 grown outdoors during Spring.

(2) FIG. 2 illustrates a plant of DB-01 during Summer.

(3) FIG. 3 illustrates in full color a close up of typical flowers and new growth of the new variety.

(4) The plant in all Figures is approximately 2 years old and is shown planted in the ground. 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

(5) 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 DB-01 plants grown outdoors in Loxley, Ala. Plants are approximately 3 years old, in a 3 gallon nursery container. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types. Botanical classification: Rhaphiolepis indica DB-01.

PROPAGATION

(6) Propagation method: Typically by semi-hardwood cuttings in Spring and Summer. Root description: Fine, fibrous young roots, well branched. Colored near RHS Grey-Brown 199A.

PLANT

(7) Growth habit: Compact , globular shrub. Height: Approximately 24 cm to top of foliar plane. 32 cm to top of flowering plane. Plant spread: Approximately 54 cm. Branching characteristics: Very well branched, approximately 6 primary branches from the center of the plant. Branches occur at approximately 45 to 75 angles. Each primary branch has 4 to 8 lateral branches. Primary branches: Length of primary branches: Average 12 to 28 cm. Diameter of primary branches: Average range 4 to 7 mm. Primary branch strength: Very strong, difficult to break. Primary branch color: Young primary branches near RHS Green 143C. Mature branches woody, colored near Greyed-Green 197C. Primary branch texture: Immature growth very slightly hirsute. Older growth scaly. Lateral branches: Number of lateral branches: Approximately 4 to 8 per primary branch. Length of lateral branches: Average range 4 to 8 cm. Diameter of lateral branches: Average 4 mm. Lateral branch strength: Strong. Lateral branch color: Young primary branches near RHS Green 143C. Mature branches woody, colored near RHS Greyed-Green 197C. Lateral branch texture: Immature growth very slightly hirsute. Older growth scaly. Internode length: Average 5 mm. Age of plant described: Approximately 2 years.

FOLIAGE

(8) Leaf: Type.Simple. Arrangement.Whorled. Average length.Approximately 6.5 cm. Average width.Approximately 2.8 cm. Shape of blade.Elliptic. Apex.Broad acute with single serration. Base.Broad attenuate. Attachment.Stalked. Margin.Serrate. Texture of top surface.Pubescent. Hairs appressed. Texture of bottom surface.Glabrous. Color.Newest foliage upper side: Near RHS Greyed-Red 179A and 182A. Newest foliage under side: Near RHS Greyed-Red 182A. Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 137D. Young foliage under side: Near RHS Green 137D. Mature foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 139A. Mature foliage under side: Near RHS Green 137D. Venation.Type: Pinnate. Venation color upper side: Near RHS Yellow-Green N144A. Venation color under side: Near RHS Green 138B. Petiole: Length.About 0.6 cm. Diameter.About 0.15 cm. Color.Upper Surface: Near RHS Green 137C. Lower Surface: Near RHS Yellow-Green 144A.

FLOWER

(9) Bloom period: Early Spring until late Spring, early Summer. Inflorescence: Panicle composed of 4 to 6 racemes. Each raceme has 4 to 8 flowers. Panicle: Height.Average 9.0 cm. Diameter.Average 11.0 cm. Raceme: Height.Average 3 to 4 cm. Excluding peduncle. Diameter.Average 2.0 to 3.0 cm. Panicle peduncle: Length.Average 2 to 3 cm. Diameter.3 mm. Color.Near RHS Yellow-Green 144C. Texture.Glabrous to very slightly hirsute. Aspect.Straight. Angle of attachment, upright, approximately 0 to 15 angle from stem. Raceme peduncle: Length.Average 3.5 to 4.5 cm. Diameter.2 to 3 mm. Color.Near RHS Yellow-Green N144D. Texture.Glabrous. Aspect.Straight. Angle of attachment approximately 45 angle from peduncle. Raceme pedicel: Length.Average 1.0 to 1.5 cm. Diameter.2 to 3 mm. Color.Near RHS Yellow-Green N144D. Texture.Glabrous. Aspect.Straight. Angle of attachment approximately 45 angle from peduncle. Flowers: Length.Average 1.5 cm. Diameter.Average 8 mm. Facing direction.Upwardly facing. Fragrance.Very faint earthy scent. Petals: Petal number.5. Arrangement.Radial, not overlapping. Length.Approximately 1.0 cm. Width.Approximately 5 mm. Apex.Rounded. Base.Attenuate. Shape.Broad elliptic. Petal margin.Entire. Petal texture.Smooth, all surfaces. Color.Upper surface at first opening: Near RHS White N155C, flushed Red 36D. Under surface at first opening: Near RHS White N155C, flushed Red 49D. Upper surface at maturity: Near RHS White 155D. Under surface at maturity: Near RHS White N155C. Upper surface at fading: Near RHS White N155B. Under surface at fading: Near RHS White N155B. Bud: Shape.Elliptic. Length.1.3 cm. Diameter.4 mm. Color.Near RHS Red 36D. Calyx/sepals: Quantity per flower.5 sepals. Shape.Narrow deltate. Length.3 to 6 mm. Width.2 to 3 mm. Apex.Acute. Base.Fused. Margin.Entire. Texture.Glabrous. Color.Inner Surface: Near RHS Yellow-Green N144A. Outer Surface: Near RHS Yellow-Green 144B. Floral bract: 2 bracts subtending each individual flower. Sub-opposite. Drying and falling off with floral maturity. Shape.Strap shaped. Length.4 to 7 mm. Width.2 mm. Apex.Acute. Base.Truncate. Margin.Entire. Texture.Glabrous, papery. Color.Inner Surface: Near RHS Yellow-Green 153B. Outer Surface: Near RHS Yellow-Green 153B.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

(10) Stamens: Number.10. Length.5 to 10 mm. Width.1 mm. Color.Near RHS Red 36C. Anthers: Length.Approximately 2 mm. Color.Near RHS Greyed-Purple 187B. Pollen.Scant, colored near RHS Greyed-Purple 183D. Pistil: Number.1. Length.1.5 cm. Style.2 styles. Style length.Average 1.2 cm. Color.Near RHS Red 53D. Stigma.Linear, colored near Red 36D. Ovary.Ovate, approximately 3 mm in length and 2 mm in diameter. Colored near RHS Yellow-Green 145A.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

(11) Disease and pest resistance: Not observed to be susceptible nor resistant to normal diseases and pests of Rhaphiolepis. Temperature tolerance: Low temperature tolerance to at least USDA Zone 7B. High temperature tolerance observed to at least 38 C. Drought tolerance: Good tolerance for drought, especially once established. Fruit/seed production: Not observed to date.