<i>Leucadendron </i>plant named ‘STARTREUSE’

Abstract

A new and distinct Leucadendron species cultivar named ‘STARTREUSE’ is disclosed, characterized by dense, upright, mostly vertical growth. Branches are willowy and supple. Floral bracts are pale chartreuse to ivory in color. Floral cone is composed of brilliant red and yellow-gold male flowers. The new cultivar is a Leucadendron, typically suited for ornamental garden use, or as a cut flower.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Leucadendron plant named ‘STARTREUSE’ as herein illustrated and described.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

(1) The accompanying photograph was 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. The photograph depicts a flowering plant of ‘Startreuse’ at approximately 1.5 years, in a 1-gallon pot.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

(2) 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 ‘STARTREUSE’ plants grown at a commercial nursery in Royal Oaks, Calif., under bright, unshaded conditions. Average day temperatures were approximately 8° C. to 26° C. and the average night temperature was approximately 3° C. to 18° C. No artificial light, photoperiodic treatments or chemical treatments were given to the plants. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types. Botanical classification: Leucadendron spissifolium ssp. spissifolium x discolor ‘STARTREUSE’. Age of the plant described: Approximately 2 years. Container size of the plant described: 1-gallon commercial container.

PROPAGATION

(3) Propagation method: Terminal cuttings, hardwood or semi-softwood. Time to develop roots suitable for transplanting: About 6 to 8 weeks at an average temperature around 25° C. Root description: Woody, not well branched, colored near Brown N199A and Grey-Brown 199A and 199B. Typically shallow rooted.

PLANT

(4) Growth habit: Compact shrub. Irregular globular shape. Vigor: Low, slow growing. Height: 65 cm. Plant spread: 30 cm. Branching characteristics: Weak to moderate branching, a pinched plant produces 2 to 3 main lateral branches on average. Stem description: Length.—Approximately 7 to 10 cm before pinch. Diameter.—About 1.1 cm. Texture.—Glabrous. No scales, bark or lenticels observed. Strength.—Very strong. Color.—Near RHS Grey-Brown 199B. Shape.—Round. Lateral branches: Length of primary lateral branches.—Average range 30 to 50 cm. Measured until floral bracts begin. Diameter of lateral branches.—Approximately 4 mm. Approximate quantity of lateral branches.—5 to 9. Texture.—Glabrous. Color.—Mature: Near RHS Grey-Brown 199B. Immature: Near RHS Yellow-Green 145A. Shape.—New growth has 4 moderate ridges, forming a rounded quadrangle, older lateral branches are round. Internode.—Average range 5 to 8 cm.

FOLIAGE

(5) Leaf: Arrangement.—Spiral. Quantity.—Approximately 24 to 32, per main branch, including sub-branches. Average length.—3 to 5.5 cm. Average width.—8 mm. Shape of blade.—Narrow oblanceolate. Apex.—Acute. Base.—Tapered. Margin.—Entire. Texture of top surface.—Glabrous. Texture of bottom surface.—Glabrous. Aspect.—Flat. Oldest foliage has a slight twist. Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 146A. Very small apical coloration near Greyed-Orange N170A. Young foliage under side: Near RHS Green 137C. Very small apical coloration near Greyed-Orange N170A. Mature foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 137A. Very small apical coloration near Greyed-Orange N170A. Mature foliage under side: Near RHS Green 137A, marginal coloration near Yellow-Green 146A. Very small apical coloration near Greyed-Orange N170A. Venation.—Type: Pinnate. Venation color upper side: Indistinguishable from foliage coloration. Venation color under side: Indistinguishable from foliage coloration. Petiole.—No present, sessile. Fragrance.—Very faint, grassy scent.

FLOWER

(6) Natural flowering season: Winter. Inflorescence type and habit: Male only flowers. Minute flowers occurring in spiraling rows on conical spikes. Flowers tubular structure of fused petals, outwardly facing. Flower self-cleaning, persisting approximately 8 weeks on the spike. Inflorescence longevity: Individual flowers and inflorescences remain ornamental for approximately 2 months. After about 8 weeks individual flowers begin to dry and fall off. Quantity of flowers and buds per inflorescence: 150 to 180. Inflorescence size: Diameter.—Approximately 2.0 cm. Height.—Approximately 2.0 cm. Individual flowers: Size.—Diameter: Approximately 2 mm. Length: Approximately 3 to 4 mm. Shape.—Tubular. Petals: Petal arrangement.—Fused, tubular. Size.—Length: about 0.5 mm. Width: about 0.3 mm. Shape.—Oblong. Margin.—Entire. Apex.—Rounded. Base.—Fused. Petal quantity.—Indistinguishable, single, minute structure. Texture.—Glabrous. Flower color, described as a single structure, as there are no distinguishable upper and lower surfaces: Apical flowers.—When opening: Near RHS Yellow-Green 144B flushed Yellow 12A. Mid-Maturity: Near RHS Orange 28A flushed Orange-Red 34A. Fully opened: Near RHS Orange-Red 34A. Main inflorescence flowers.—When opening: Near RHS Yellow-Green 144B flushed Yellow 12A. Mid-Maturity: Near RHS Yellow-Orange 17A. Fully opened: Near RHS Yellow-Orange 17A flushed Orange-Red 34B. Bud: Shape.—Ovate. Length.—Approximately 0.8 mm. Diameter.—Approximately 0.4 mm. Color.—Apical buds: Near RHS Yellow-Green 151A. Main inflorescence buds: Near RHS Green-Yellow 2B. Fragrance: Faint grassy scent. Involucral bracts: General description.—Dried, curled. Number.—Average range 12 to 16. Length.—Approximately 5 to 7 mm. Width.—Approximately 3 mm. Shape.—Deltate when unfurled. Texture.—Glabrous. Apex shape.—Acute. Base.—Truncate. Margin.—Entire. Color.—Near RHS Brown 200B. Floral bracts: Description: Leaf like, occurring just below inflorescence. Quantity.—Average 12 to 15. Arrangement.—Spiral. Average length.—3.5 cm to 5 cm. Average width.—5 to 7 mm. Shape of blade.—Oblanceolate. Apex.—Acute. Base.—Truncate. Margin.—Entire. Texture of top surface.—Glabrous. Texture of bottom surface.—Glabrous. Pubescence.—None. Aspect.—Slight downward fold at midrib. Angle of attachment.—15° to 45°. Color.—Immature: Upper surface: Near Yellow 4D. Under surface: Near Yellow 4D. Mature: Upper surface: Near Yellow 4D. Occasional light stippling near Yellow-Green 144C. Under surface: Near Yellow 4D. Occasional light stippling near Yellow-Green 144C. Peduncle: Beginning from the lateral branch to lowermost floral bract. Length.—Approximately 2 cm to 4 cm. Diameter.—Approximately 5 mm. Texture.—Glabrous. Color.—Near Green 145C. Frequently streaked near Yellow-Green 154D.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

(7) Minute flowers with compressed productive organs. Reproductive organs not visible under a dissecting microscope. Abundant pollen colored near Yellow 13A.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

(8) Seeds and fruits: No seeds/fruits observed. Disease/pest resistance: Neither other resistance nor susceptibility to normal pests and diseases of Leucadendron has been observed. Temperature tolerance: USDA Zone 9.