<i>Aeonium </i>plant named ‘Sun Dancer’

Abstract

A new and distinct cultivar of Aeonium plant named Sun Dancer is disclosed, characterized by very even, concentric rosettes, comprised of an abundance of green leaves, colored marginally with creamy white, and arranged in an attractive, variegated geometric pattern. Further, the new cultivar Sun Dancer freely offsets, enabling increased and faster propagation of the cultivar. In addition, the robust growth, in combination with the freely offsetting characteristic of the new cultivar Sun Dancer, results in the clusters at an early age, and therefore enhances production intervals. The new variety is an Aeonium, part of the Crassulaceae complex that includes Aeonium, Echeveria, Graptopetalum, Sedum and others. Aeonium is a popular genus, typically produced as container plants for the patio or as landscape plants.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Aeonium plant named SUN DANCER as herein illustrated and described.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

(1) The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a typical of plant of Aeonium Sun Dancer grown in a shade house in Vista, Calif. at a light intensity of approximately 3500 fc.

(2) FIG. 2 illustrates a different plant of similar age growing outdoors in full sun (approximately 9000 foot candles) in Vista, Calif. Age of the plants photographed is approximately 5 months from a rooted cutting.

(3) 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. All photographs provided by the breeder.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

(4) 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 Sun Dancer plants in a commercial shade house in Vista, Calif. Temperatures ranged from approximately 1 C. to 29 C. night and day. No artificial light, photoperiodic treatments or chemical treatments were given to the plants. Natural light conditions were approximately 3500 fc of light. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types. Botanical classification: Aeonium hybrid SUN DANCER.

PROPAGATION

(5) Type of propagation typically used: Terminal vegetative divisions. Time to initiate roots: About 18 days at approximately 24 C. Root description: Fibrous, brown, not accurately measured with a color chart.

PLANT

(6) Age of plant described: Approximately 4 months. Container size of the plant described: 6 inch. Growth habit: Upright, caulescent, with a terminal rosette, freely offsetting from below rosette and between leaves of the rosette to produce cluster. Height: Approximately 14 cm to top of highest leaf Height in cm to top of inflorescence is unknown as plant has been undergoing propagation, and has not yet flowered. Plant spread: 20 cm. Growth rate: Moderately fast. Branching characteristics: Freely offsetting. Rosettes per plant: Average range 7 to 10.

FOLIAGE

(7) Leaf: Arrangement.Rosulate. Average length.Outer rosette leaf approximately 10 cm. Inner rosette leaf approx. 2 to 4 cm. Average width.Outer rosette leaf approximately 3.2 cm. Inner rosette leaf approx. 1.2 cm. Width at base.1.0 cm. Shape of blade.Spatulate. Apex.Mucronate. Base.Cuneate. Margin.Entire. Towards apex fine, irregular sparse dentation. Texture of top surface.Glabrous. Texture of bottom surface.Glabrous. Quantity of leaves per rosette.Average range 15 to 20. Color.Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Yellow 2D, center and base flushed near Green 137D. Young foliage, under side: Near RHS Yellow 2D, center and base flushed near Green 137D. Apex and margin irregularly blotched Red 45D. Mature foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 138A. Base Yellow-Green 144D. Apical margin has a thin flush near Red 46D. Mature foliage, under side: Near RHS Green 138A. Base Yellow-Green 144D. Apical margin has a thin flush near Red 46D. Venation.There is no visual appearance of venation.

FLOWER

(8) Flowering not observed to date.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

(9) Flowering not observed to date.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

(10) Fruits and seeds: Plant has not flowered or produced fruits and seeds to date. Temperature tolerance: Tolerates temperatures from approximately 2 to 32 C. Disease/pest resistance: Displays the same disease and pest resistance of any other comparable Aeonium. Drought tolerance: Tolerates at least 3 weeks of high temperatures without supplemental water, showing no serious damage to plant.