<i>Leptospermum </i>plant named ‘RUYLEPLAR’

Abstract

A new and distinct variety of Leptospermum plant named RUYLEPLAR which is characterized by the combination of a conical growth habit, an abundance of red-purple foliage on dark red stems, excellent heat and drought tolerance, and the stability of all characteristics from generation to generation.

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of Leptospermum plant named RUYLEPLAR, substantially as described and illustrated herein.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) FIG. 1 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, an exemplary plant of RUYLEPLAR. This plant is approximately 12 months old, shown planted in a 10.5 cm container.

(2) FIG. 2 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, the typical coloration of the foliage of RUYLEPLAR.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

(3) The following observations and measurements were made in October of 2019 and describe a sample set of six 12 month-old RUYLEPLAR plants grown in 10.5 cm nursery pots at a plant nursery in Heythuysen, the Netherlands. Plants were produced in an unheated greenhouse with full sun exposure, using conventional production protocols for Leptospermum which included infrequent irrigation and fertilizer applications using fertigation techniques. No pest or disease control measures were utilized in production.

(4) Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristics will vary with older or, conversely, with younger plants. RUYLEPLAR 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 characteristics 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, 2015 (sixth edition).

(5) A botanical description of RUYLEPLAR and comparisons with the parent plants are provided below. Plant description: Growth habit.Conical growth habit. Plant profile.Pyramidal. Average height.21.8 cm from the soil level to the top of the foliar plane. Plant spread.Average of 22.5 cm. Growth rate.Moderately fast. Plant vigor.Moderately to highly vigorous. Propagation type.Stem cuttings. Time to produce a rooted cutting.Approximately 20 days to produce a rooted cutting at approximately 18 degrees Celsius. Time to produce a finished plant.20 weeks to produce a fully rotted 9 cm container. Disease resistance.Neither resistance nor susceptibility to typical Leptospermum pests and diseases has been observed. Environmental tolerances.Adapt to, at least, USDA Zones 9 through 12 and temperatures as high as 40 degrees Celsius; moderate tolerance to rain; moderate to high tolerance to wind. Root system: General.Dense and very freely branched rooting; roots are moderately fibrous. Distribution in the soil profile.Shallow to moderately deep. Diameter of roots.0.1 cm on average. Texture.Smooth; no root hairs. Color.White, nearest to RHS N155C. Stem: General branching habit.A single main stem, freely branching with lateral branches. Pinching isn't required but will improve branching. Quantity of main stems per plant.1. Quantity of lateral branches.33. Length of lateral branches.Approximately 11.1 cm. Diameter of lateral branches.Approximately 0.175 cm. Internode length.Approximately 0.2 cm. Attitude of lateral branches.At an average angle of 45 degrees to the main stem. Aspect.Rounded. Texture.Smooth, glabrous. Luster.Juvenile stems are moderately glossy; mature stems and oldest wood is matte. Strength.Strong. Color, juvenile.Greyed-purple, nearest to RHS 187A. Color, mature.Greyed-orange, nearest to RHS 166C. Color at internodes.Greyed-orange, nearest to RHS 166C. Color of the oldest wood.Greyed-brown, nearest to a mixture of RHS 199D and N199B. Foliage: Arrangement.Alternate. Division.Simple. Quantity.Approximately 600 leaves per lateral branch. Attitude.At an average angle of 80 degrees to the branch. Fragrance.Pleasant sweet fragrance when crushed. Lamina.Shape Narrow elliptic to narrow oblong. Aspect Flat to very slightly carinate. Dimensions 0.65 cm long and 0.15 cm wide. Apex Acute. Base Attenuate. Margin Entire; not undulated. Texture of top surface Smooth, glabrous, and very slightly glossy. Texture of bottom surface Smooth, glabrous, and matte. Color Juvenile foliage, adaxial surface Nearest to in between greyed-purple and brown, RHS N186C and 200A; lightly suffused with yellow-green, nearest to RHS 147A. Juvenile foliage, abaxial surface Greyed-purple, nearest to RHS 183B. Mature foliage, adaxial surface Green, nearest to RHS NN137A. Mature foliage, abaxial surface Green, nearest to RHS 137D. Venation Pattern Pinnate. Color, adaxial surface Same as the surrounding foliage; green, nearest to RHS NN137A. Color, adaxial surface Only the midrib is visible; green, nearest to RHS 137B. Petiole.Length 0.5 cm. Diameter 0.5 cm. Strength Strong. Texture Smooth; glabrous. Luster Slightly glossy. Color, adaxial surface Green, nearest to RHS 138A, and moderately suffused with greyed-red, nearest to RHS 182A. Color, abaxial surface Green, nearest to RHS 138A, and moderately suffused with greyed-red, nearest to RHS 182A. Inflorescence: No flowering has been observed to date.

COMPARISON WITH THE PARENT PLANT

(6) Plants of the new cultivar RUYLEPLAR differ from the seed parent, an unnamed Leptospermum scoparium plant with an upright growth habit (not patented), in the following characteristics described in Table 1 below.

(7) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Characteristic RUYLEPLAR The seed parent. Growth habit. Conical. Upright. Overall plant height. Shorter than the seed Taller than parent. RUYLEPLAR. Foliage size. Smaller than the seed Larger than parent. RUYLEPLAR. General coloration More towards dark More towards green. of the foliage. red-purple.

COMPARISON WITH THE CLOSEST KNOWN COMPARATOR

(8) Plants of the new cultivar RUYLEPLAR differs from the pollen parent and most similar commercial cultivar known to the inventor, Leptospermum Nanum (not patented), in the following characteristics described in Table 2 below.

(9) TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Characteristic RUYLEPLAR Nanum Growth habit. Conical. Irregular globular. Foliage size. Smaller than Nanum. Larger than RUYLEPLAR. General coloration More greyed-purple. More towards green. of the juvenile foliage.