<i>Dracaena </i>plant named ‘PVDRAGK’

Abstract

A new and distinct Dracaena plant named PVDRAGK which is characterized by the combination of large, very broad foliage born on a single dark green, unbranched stem, lorate-shaped and spiraled foliage, variegated foliage which is dark green and broadly and irregularly margined yellow-green with a yellow edge, older foliage which maintains the variegation, and the stability of these characteristics from generation to generation.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Dracaena plant named PVDRAGK, 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 PVDRAGK grown in Monster, the Netherlands. This plant, grown in a 15 cm nursery container, is approximately 26 weeks old from a rooted young plant; and

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

(3) FIG. 3 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, the typical lower foliage of PVDRAGK.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

(4) The following observations and measurements, made in May of 2019, describe averages from a sample set of six specimens of 26 week-old PVDRAGK plants grown in 15 cm nursery pots in Monster, the Netherlands. Plants were produced using conventional greenhouse production protocols for Dracaena sp. which consisted of growing under shade cloth, irrigating at regular intervals with ebb and flow flood benches, and fertigation. No chemical treatments of any kind were utilized.

(5) Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristics will vary with older or, conversely, with younger plants. PVDRAGK 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, climatic and cultural conditions. Color notations are based on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, The Royal Horticultural Society, London, 2015 (sixth edition).

(6) A botanical description of PVDRAGK and comparisons with the parent plant and most similar commercial Dracaena cultivar known to the inventor are provided below. Plant description: Growth habit.Upright evergreen perennial with foliage born on a solitary unbranched stem. Plant profile.Oblong. Average height from base to top of foliage.106.5 cm. Average width.Average of 76.8 cm. Growth rate.Moderately fast to fast growing. Plant vigor.Highly vigorous. Propagation details.Asexual propagation is accomplished by stem cuttings. Time to initiate roots.Approximately 5 weeks are required to initiate roots at 25 degrees Celsius. Time to produce a marketable 15 cm potted plant.Approximately 15 to 30 weeks. Pinching will increase lateral branching. Disease and pest resistance or susceptibility.Neither tolerance nor resistance to normal diseases and pests of Dracaena fragrans have been observed. Environmental tolerances.Adapt to USDA Hardiness Zones 10 through 12 and temperatures as high as 40 degrees Celsius; moderate tolerance to rain and wind. Root system: General.Fibrous; freely branched and moderately dense rooting. Distribution in the soil profile.Shallow to moderately deep. Texture.Smooth; glabrous. Color.Greyed-orange, RHS N170A. Stems: Branching characteristics.Not freely branched in nature; develops lateral branches only when manipulated by man by way of pruning. Naturally produces one main stem arising from the plant's base. Attitude.Near vertical. Strength.Very strong. Length.72.5 cm. Diameter.Average 2.6 cm. Internode length.Average 1.3 cm. Stem texture.Glabrous; smooth. Stem luster.Slightly glossy. Color, developing stems.Yellow-Green, nearest to RHS 144C. Color, mature stems.Yellow-Green, nearest to a mixture of RHS 144B and 146A. Color at the internodes.Yellow-Green, nearest to RHS 146A. Foliage: Arrangement.Spiraled. Attachment.Sheathed. Division.Simple. Attitude.Foliage near the apex is upright to outward and becomes progressively more relaxed towards the base. Number of leaves per lateral branch.55. Lamina.Dimensions 39.4 cm long and 2.7 cm wide, on average. Shape Lorate. Aspect Moderately axially twisted (i.e. spiraled); distal portion on the lamina pointing downward. Apex Acute with a short, soft but pointed tip. Base Sheathed. Sheath Length 4.6 cm. Width 2.7 cm. Color, adaxial surface Green-white, nearest to RHS 157A. Color, abaxial surface Green, nearest to RHS NN137C. Margin Entire; coarsely undulate. Texture and luster of adaxial surface Smooth, glabrous and moderately glossy. Texture and luster of abaxial surface Smooth, glabrous and matte. Color Juvenile foliage, adaxial surface Nearest to in between green and yellow-green, nearest to RHS 143A and 146A; broadly margined yellow-green, nearest to RHS NN144B. Juvenile foliage, abaxial surface Green, nearest to RHS 138A, and margined yellow-green, nearest to RHS N144D. Mature foliage, adaxial surface Nearest to in between green and yellow-green, nearest to RHS NN137A and 147A; broadly and irregularly margined yellow-green, nearest to a mixture or RHS 144A, 146A and 146D; edged yellow, nearest to RHS 11A. Mature foliage, abaxial surface Green, nearest to RHS 138A, and irregularly margined yellow-green, nearest to RHS N144D; edged yellow, nearest to in between RHS 8B and 11A. Venation Pattern Parallel. Color, adaxial surface The main vein nearest to in between green and yellow-green, nearest to RHS 143A and 144A. All other veins are indistinguishable from the surrounding foliage: nearest to in between green and yellow-green, RHS NN137A and 147A, and broadly and irregularly margined yellow-green, nearest to a mixture or RHS 144A, 146A and 146D; edged yellow, nearest to RHS 11A. Color, abaxial surface The main vein is yellow-green, nearest to RHS 146B. All other veins are indistinguishable from the surrounding foliage: green, nearest to RHS 138A, and irregularly margined yellow-green, nearest to RHS 144D; edged yellow, nearest to in between RHS 8B and 11A. Inflorescence: To date, flowering has not been observed. Flower buds: To date, flowering has not been observed. Flower: To date, flowering has not been observed. Reproductive organs: To date, flowering has not been observed. Seed and fruit: To date, flowering has not been observed.

COMPARISONS WITH THE PARENT PLANT

(7) Plants of the new cultivar PVDRAGK may be distinguished from its parent, Dracaena fragrans Golden Coast (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 12,603), by the characteristics described in Table 1.

(8) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Characteristic PVDRAGK Golden Coast Foliage attitude. Foliage is generally Foliage is generally more more relaxed. upright. General Exhibits green foliage Exhibits green foliage with coloration with narrow, light green broad, light green axial of the foliage. axial striations, and striations towards the broad yellow margins, margins; narrowly margined yellow.

(9) Plants of the new cultivar PVDRAGK may be distinguished from the closest known commercial comparator, the common form of the species Dracaena steudneri (not patented), by the characteristics described in Table 2.

(10) TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Characteristic PVDRAGK Dracaena steudneri Foliage aspect. Less spiraled (i.e. axially More spiralled. twisted) Foliage attitude. Lower foliage is more Lower foliage is more upright than those of relaxed than those of Dracaena steudneri. PVDRAGK. Internode length. Longer internodes Shorter internodes compared to Dracaena compared to steudneri. PVDRAGK. Foliage size. Larger than that of Smaller than that of Dracaena steudneri. PVDRAGK. General coloration Dark green, broadly and Has medium green of the foliage. irregularly margined leaves; yellow-green; edged no variegation. yellow.