<i>Tillandsia </i>plant named ‘RAINFOREST RED’

Abstract

A new and distinct Tillandsia cultivar named RAINFOREST RED is disclosed, characterized by foliage which is red with a unique combination of shape and trichome dispersal and density. The new variety is a Tillandsia, typically produced as an indoor ornamental plant.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Tillandsia plant named RAINFOREST RED as herein illustrated and described.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

(1) The accompanying photograph illustrates in full color a typical plant of RAINFOREST RED at approximately 5 years of age next to a plant of the parent. The new variety is the plant on the left in the photograph. The 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.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

(2) In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.), London, 2007 Edition. except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe RAINFOREST RED plants grown at a commercial greenhouse in Torrance, Calif. The plant is approximately 3 years old. Temperatures ranged between 1 C. to 30 C. during the day and night. No chemical treatments were given to the plants. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types. Botanical classification: Tillandsia hybrida RAINFOREST RED.

PROPAGATION

(3) Typical propagation: The new variety is propagated by tissue culture. A commercial plant requires between 24 and 48 months to produce at approximately 20 to 28 C. Root description: No roots. Epiphytic.

PLANT

(4) Growth habit: Epiphytic. Plant shape: Rosette with narrowly attenuate leaves. Height: Approximately 7 to 12 cm. Plant spread: Approximately 7 to 12 cm. Growth rate: Approximately 2 to 3 cm per year. Center stem: Not present. Acaulescent. Number of leaves per plant: Approximately 40 to 60.

FOLIAGE

(5) Leaf: Arrangement.Rosette. Average length.Approximately 4 to 12 cm. Average width.Approximately 4 to 12 cm. Shape of blade.Narrowly Attenuate from base to tip. Sheaths merge into blade with no differentiation. Aspect.Overall curved, no undulation. Apex.Acute. Margin.No distinct marks or differentiation from blades. Entire. Texture of top surface.Sub-lepidote with trichomes. Texture of bottom surface.Sub-lepidote with cinereous, appressed trichomes, sheaths lepidote with cinereous, appressed trichomes. Color.Young foliage upper side: Near R.H.S. Greyed-Purple 185B. Young foliage under side: Near R.H.S. Greyed-Red 181A. Mature foliage upper side: Near R.H.S. Greyed-Purple 184B. Mature foliage under side: Near R.H.S. Greyed-Purple 184B, base densely colored Greyed-Green 193C by trichomes. Sheath: Average length.Approximately 0.25 cm. Average width.Approximately 0.25 cm. Color.Moss green per Exotica. Texture.Lepidote with cinereous, appressed trichomes.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

(6) Flowering: Not observed to date. Disease resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to the normal diseases found in Tillandsia has been observed. Fruit/seed production: No fruits/seeds detected to date. Temperature tolerance: 1 C. to 40 C.