Prunus Plant Named 'NCPR-7'

Abstract

A new and distinct variety of Prunus cerasifera Prunus plant, herein referred to by its cultivar name, NCPR-7, is provided which forms dark purple colored foliage. The new variety forms moderately vigorous vegetation and provides growth habit that is weeping. The new variety is well suited for providing attractive ornamentation in the landscape.

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of Prunus plant characterized by the following combination of characteristics: (a) forms attractive, dark purple colored foliage, (b) exhibits weeping growth habit, and (c) provides moderately vigorous vegetation; substantially as herein shown and described.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

[0014] The accompanying photographs shows as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same, in color illustrations of this character, typical specimens of the new variety. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed description, which accurately describes the colors of the new variety. The Prunus plants of the new variety were approximately two years of age and were observed at the beginning of the third growing season during March and April of 2017 at Jackson Spring, N.C., U.S.A. while growing outdoors.

[0015] FIG. 1illustrates a specimen the treeside view.

[0016] FIG. 2illustrates a specimen of the emerging foliage.

[0017] FIG. 3illustrates a specimen of a flower.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

[0018] The chart used in the identification of the colors is that of The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S. Colour Chart, 2007 edition), London, England. The terminology which precedes reference to the chart has been added to indicate the corresponding color in more common terms. The description is based on the observation of approximately three-years-old specimens of the new variety during February and March 2018 under natural light conditions at Jackson Springs, N.C., U.S.A. produced from chip budding and growing outside. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plants. [0019] Class: Prunus Plant. [0020] Plant: [0021] Habit.Weeping. [0022] Type.Deciduous perennial tree. [0023] Height.Approximately 2.13 meters on average. [0024] Width.Approximately 1.3 meters on average. [0025] Trunk.Diameter immediately above graft union: approximately 4.8 cm on average. texture: slightly rugose. [0026] Branches: [0027] Habit.Highly branched. [0028] Strength.Moderately strong. [0029] Color.Young stems: commonly near Purple Group N77A. mature stems: commonly near Greyed-Purple Group N187B. [0030] Diameter.New growth: approximately 2.0 mm on average. one-year old growth: approximately 3.4 mm on average. [0031] Lenticel.General: numerous, tiny. length: commonly less than 1.0 mm. shape: elliptic. color: commonly near Brown Group N200B. [0032] Texture.New growth: glabrous. [0033] Foliage: [0034] Type.Deciduous. [0035] Arrangement.Alternate. [0036] Leaves.Length: approximately 5.6 cm on average. width: approximately 3.2 cm on average. shape: elliptic; apex is acute; base is rounded to cuneate. margin: serrate. venation pattern: pinnate. texture of upper and lower surfaces: smooth, glabrous. color of upper and lower surfaces of mature foliage: commonly near Purple Group N77A. fragrance: none detected. [0037] Petiole.Length: approximately 1.2 cm on average. diameter: approximately 1.1 mm on average. texture: smooth, glabrous. color: commonly near Purple Group N77A. [0038] Flowering description: [0039] General description.Compound corymbs. aspect: facing upward to slightly outward. quantity per plant: numerous. fragrance: slightly sweet. flower diameter: approximately 1.5 cm on average. flower height: approximately 1.4 cm on average. [0040] Pedicel.Strength: strong. shape: rounded. aspect: erect to about 45 from branch axis. length: approximately 0.8 cm on average. diameter: approximately less than 1.0 mm on average. texture: glabrous. color: commonly near Red-Purple Group 59C. [0041] Flower description: [0042] General description.Type: single, rotate, not persistent. aspect: upright. quantity per inflorescence: approximately 1 flower per flower bud. [0043] Bud just before opening shape.Ovate tapering to a point. length: approximately 2.4 cm on average. diameter: approximately 1.0 mm on average. color: commonly near Red-Purple Group 59A. texture: glabrous. [0044] Petals.Quantity per flower: approximately 5, unfused. shape: orbicular; apex is rounded; base is obtuse. margin: entire. length: approximately 9.0 mm on average. width: approximately 8.0 mm on average. texture of upper and lower surfaces: glabrous. color of upper and lower surfaces when first and fully open: commonly near Red-Purple Group 73D. [0045] Calyx.Shape: vase-shaped; 5 rounded lobes at terminus. length: approximately 4.8 mm on average. diameter: approximately 3.0 mm at top of hypanthium on average. color of outer and inner surfaces: commonly near Red-Purple Group 72B. texture of inner and outer surfaces: glabrous. [0046] Sepals.Quantity: commonly 5, attached to top of hypanthium. arrangement: in a single whorl. [0047] Pedicel.Strength: strong. shape: round. length: approximately 0.8 cm on average. diameter: less than 1.0 mm on average. texture: glabrous. color: commonly near Red-Purple Group 59C. [0048] Stamen.Quantity: approximately 21 on average per flower, unfused and attached to apex of hypanthium. length: approximately 3.0 mm on average. [0049] Filament.Length: approximately 5.0 mm on average. color: commonly near Red-Purple Group 65C. [0050] Anther shape.Round to slightly oblong. length: commonly less than 1.0 mm. width: commonly less than 1.0 mm. color: commonly near Red-Purple Group 65C. [0051] Pollen.Amount is sparse and color is commonly near Yellow Group 9C. [0052] Pistil.Quantity: commonly 1 per flower. length: approximately 1.0 mm on average. width: commonly less than 1.0 mm. color: commonly near Red-Purple Group 59B. texture: glabrous. [0053] Stigma.Shape: round. color: commonly near Red-Purple Group 72A. length: commonly less than 1.0 mm. width: commonly less than 1.0 mm. [0054] Style.Shape: elongate. width: commonly less than 1.0 mm. color: commonly near Red-Purple Group 72A. [0055] Ovary.Position: superior. shape: round. width: commonly less than 1.0 mm on average. color: commonly near Red-Purple Group 72A. [0056] Seeds.None observed. [0057] Development: [0058] Growth time.Approximately 1.5 years from budding to finish as a 4 to 6 foot tree. [0059] Vegetation.Moderately vigorous. [0060] Flowering season.Flowers in late winter to early spring. [0061] Resistance to disease.Resistance to pathogens and pests common to Prunus plants has not been observed. The new NCPR-7 variety has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions to date. Accordingly, it is possible that the phenotypic expression may vary somewhat with changes in light intensity and duration, cultural practices, and other environmental conditions.