<i>Guzmania </i>‘CROWN’

Abstract

A new and distinct cultivar of Guzmania plant named CROWN characterized by a solid growth habit; funnel-form rosette plant, measuring about 42 cm in height (above the pot when flowering), numerous green color foliage (measuring about 50 to 60 cm in length and about 9 cm in width), and superior floral bract production. Bracts have a unique red inflorescence (RHS 44A), branched head inflorescence (measuring about 10 cm in height and about 10 cm in diameter), and long-lasting habit. The new variety is a Guzmania, typically produced as an indoor ornamental plant.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Guzmania plant named CROWN as herein illustrated and described.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

(1) The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Guzmania hybrid CROWN showing the colors as true as is reasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photograph may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describes the color of CROWN.

(2) FIG. 1 shows a side view perspective of the primary and top bracts produced by a typical potted, flowering plant of CROWN, at 15 months of age from potting size.

(3) FIG. 2 shows a close-up side view perspective of the inflorescence and top bracts produced by a typical potted, flowering plant of CROWN, at 15 months of age from potting size.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

(4) CROWN has not been tested and observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, frequency of fertilization, composition of fertilizer, flowering treatment, day length and humidity, without any change in the genotype of the plant. For example, substantial differences in plant height and diameter, number of leaves, can result depending on the size of the plant at the time that flowering is induced by flowering treatment. Since treatment to induce flowering disrupts normal watering and fertilization regimens, flowering treatment of relatively smaller plants adversely affects the growth of the plant. The aforementioned photographs, together with the following observations, measurements and values describe the new Guzmania CROWN as grown in a greenhouse in Assendelft, The Netherlands, under conditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice. Plants of CROWN were grown in a greenhouse with day temperatures ranging from 20 C. to 28 C. and night temperatures ranging from 18 C. to 23 C. No artificial lighting or photoperiodic treatments were conducted, but plants of CROWN are forced into flowering. The following fertilizer is added when growing plants of CROWN: 1 part nitrogen, 0.6 parts phosphor, 2 parts Kalium and 0.1 parts magnesium. Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), 2001 edition, except where general colors of ordinary significance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditions in a greenhouse in Assendelft, The Netherlands. The age of the plants of CROWN described is about 17 weeks after flowering treatment. Botanical classification: Guzmania sp. Plant: Height.About 42 cm (when flowering). Width.About 75 cm. Shape.Funnel form rosette. Growth habit.Stemless. Plant vigor.Good. Flowering season.A fully grown plant can flower year-round, starting 18 weeks after induction of natural light or through flowering treatment. Cold tolerance.Frost tender. Temperatures below 5 C. may damage plants. Fragrance.None. Foliage: Quantity.About 18 (depending on the size of the plant). Size of leaf.Length: About 50 to 60 cm (when flowering). Width: About 9 cm. Overall shape.Linear-lanceolate. Apex shape.Acute. Base shape.Strap-like around central axis. Margin.Entire. Texture (both surfaces).Smooth. Orientation.Leaf blades arch continuously from base. Color.Leaf color can vary somewhat depending on growing conditions. Mature: Upper surface: RHS Green 137A. Under surface: RHS Green 137C with anthocyanin. Venation.None. Inflorescence: Borne.Erect stalks. Shape.Branched head. Size.Length: About 45 cm. Diameter: About 10 cm. Time of bloom.A fully grown plant can produce an inflorescence containing about 160 flowers (depending on the size of the plants), and can bloom the whole year starting about 18 weeks after natural induction or through flowering treatment. Duration of bloom.Each flower blooms one (1) day and the total blooming of the whole inflorescence is about 20 weeks. Flowers: Not visible during anthesis. Petals: Number.3 per flower. Length.About 4.8 cm. Width.About 0.6 cm. Overall shape.Ligulate. Apex shape.Obtuse. Base shape.Fused. Color.Upper and Under surfaces: RHS Yellow 7A. Sepals: Number.3 per flower. Length.About 3 cm. Width.About 0.5 cm. Overall shape.Ligulate. Apex shape.Acute. Base shape.Fused. Color.RHS Yellow 7A. Bracts: Scape bracts: Quantity.About 13. Arrangement.Alternate. Size.Length: About 20 cm (lowest) to about 7.5 cm (scape bracts positioned just below the primary bracts). Width: About 5.2 cm. Overall shape.Lanceolate. Apex shape.Acute. Base shape.Fused. Margin.Entire. Texture.Smooth. Color.Upper surface: RHS Green 137C with Red 46A, apex Greyed-Purple 187A. Under surface: RHS Green 137C with Red 46A, apex Greyed-Purple 187A. Primary bracts: Quantity.About 8. Arrangement.Alternate. Size.Length: About 5.5 cm. Width: About 3.5 cm. Overall shape.Lanceolate. Apex shape.Acute. Base shape.Fused. Margin.Entire. Texture.Smooth. Color.Upper and Under surfaces: RHS Red 46A, apex Greyed-Purple 187A. Floral bracts: Quantity.About 160. Size.Length: About 5 cm. Width: About 2 cm. Overall shape.Lanceolate. Apex shape.Obtuse. Base shape.Fused. Margin.Entire. Texture.Smooth. Color.Lower floral bracts: Upper and Under surfaces: RHS Red 44A. Higher floral bracts: Upper and Under surfaces: RHS Red 44A with Yellow 8C to 7A. Reproductive organs: Androecium: Stamen.Number: 6 per flower. Length: About 4.5 cm. Diameter: About 0.1 mm. Color: RHS Yellow 7A. Anther.Length: About 0.5 cm. Color: RHS Greyed-Yellow 161C. Pollen.None. Gynoecium: Pistil.Number: 1 per flower. Length: About 3 cm. Stigma.Shape: 3-parted. Width: About 2 mm. Color: Green, (too small to qualify R.H.S. value). Style.Length: About 3 cm. Color: Yellow (too small to qualify R.H.S. value). Ovary.Position: Superior. Shape: Conical. Length: About 0.9 cm. Diameter: About 0.4 cm. Color: White (too small to qualify R.H.S. value). Other characteristics: Seeds/fruit: Sterile hybrid, therefore, no seed or fruit produced. Disease/pest resistance: No observations made. Disease/pest susceptibility: No observations made.