Turpentine Bush Plant Named 'Butterbloom'

Abstract

A new and distinct Ericameria laricifolia plant named Butterbloom is characterized by compact habit, even growth and excellent tolerance to pruning.

Claims

1. A new and distinct Ericameria laricifolia plant substantially as described and illustrated herein.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] The accompanying photographs illustrate Ericameria laricifolia Butterbloom growing near Tucson, Ariz., depicted in color as nearly correct as it is possible to make in a color illustration of the character.

[0007] FIG. 1 shows Ericameria laricifolia Butterbloom at age 3 in bloom near Tucson, Ariz.

[0008] FIG. 2 shows Ericameria laricifolia Butterbloom flowering heads at various stages of development.

[0009] FIG. 3 shows Ericameria laricifolia Butterbloom leaves, stems and an inflorescence in early bloom

DETAILED PLANT DESRIPTION

[0010] The following is a detailed description of the new turpentine bush plant based upon potted plants at about age 1 year and a more mature specimen growing near Tucson, Ariz. aged 4 years. The color descriptions are based upon The 5.sup.th edition R.H.S. Colour Chart. Color names other than common usage are as listed in COLOR Universal Language and Dictionary of Names, by Kenneth L. Kelly and Deane B. Judd; National Bureau of Standards special publication 440. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Commerce, National Bureau of Standards, December 1976.

[0011] Plant is a much branched evergreen shrub, reaching 3 feet tall5 feet wide by age 4 years. [0012] Leaves: Alternate, glabrous, resinous, containing numerous tiny glands (0.1 mm diameter, color closest to 141B), leaves highly variable in size and profile, shade leaves being quite flattened, while leaves grown in full sun appear needle like. Shade leaves 1.5-2 mm wide11-24 mm long with a barely visible midrib, veins not visible. Shade leaves linear, apiculate, acute at the base, the leaf flattened, entire, color 141B. Sun leaves 1-1.25 mm wide10-12 mm, approaching terete in profile except for some axial flattening. Midrib not visible. Leaves linear, apiculate, entire and acute at the base. Color closest to 141B. Stipules absent. Axillary buds obscure. [0013] Stems: Highly branched, young stems similar to the leaves in color (141C), resinous surface and glands. Young stems faintly striate. Internode length 2-7 mm, stem diameter 0.75-1.5 mm. As stems mature the color grades to 164C at 2 mm diameter and 199D at 5 mm or more. At about 3 mm diameter the bark begins to shred longitudinally. This process continues as the stems thicken. By the time the stems reach 2-3 inches in diameter the bark becomes mottled and longitudinally furrowed and rough to the touch. Color grades from 164D to 201B on older bark. Flowers arranged in terminal heads, the heads measuring about 18 mm long18-20 mm wide including the flowers. Involucre comprised of graduated phyllaries. Involucre measures 5-7 mm long3-4 mm in diameter, more or less campanulate in shape. [0014] Phyllaries: Somewhat spreading at the tips, glabrous, entire, apiculate, lanceolate. Each phyllary with a pair of glands at the base, these more or less spherical, 0.5 mm diameter, color 143B. Basal phyllaries 3 mm long1 mm wide; apical phyllaries 5 mm long1.5 mm wide. The longitudinal central portion of the phyllaries is colored 145A, which grades to scarious margins colored 150D. The tips of the apical phyllaries are colored 165A, while the tips of the basal phyllaries is colored as the central portion (145A). [0015] Ray flowers: Numbering 6-8, typically 7, pistillate, lacking stamens. Ovary inferior, measuring 2-3 mm long1 mm wide, colored 154A, oblanceoloid in shape, somewhat flattened dorsally, the surface sericeous. Corolla fused into a tube with a strap shaped radial extension. Corolla tube 3 mm long0.5 mm diameter. Corolla strap 7 mm long2 mm wide, elliptical in shape with 2-3 fine teeth at the apex. Corolla color 2A. Pappus of about 15 capillary bristles attached at the apex of the ovary, 4-6 mm long. Stigma exserted, 2 lobed, the recurved lobes colored 2A. Stigma lobes measure 2.5 mm long0.2 mm diameter. Style about 6-7 mm long0.25 mm diameter, colored like the corolla. Unopened mature buds oblanceoloid, 7 mm long1 mm diameter (8 mm long including ovary) colored 2A at the apex grading to 1C near the base. [0016] Disc flowers: Numbering 7-11 per head, perfect, protandrous. Corolla of 5 petals fused into a flaring tube with 5 acute radial petal lobes, these recurved and glabrous, the lobes measuring 2 mm long1 mm wide. Corolla glabrous except for scattered short hairs below the Corolla lobes. Corolla translucent, color closest to 1C. Tube colored as corolla lobes. Corolla measures 6-7 mm long. Stamens 5, united into a tube around the style, inserted in the corolla. Stamens mature more or less at the time of ray flower opening but before the stigmas of the disc flowers have matured. Stamens at maturity are colored 13A, gradually changing to 22A as they age. Dry anthers measure 3 mm long0.5 mm diameter. Pollen color 13A, released 1-2 days prior to petal spreading. Pappus of numerous capillary bristles (about 20) from 5-7 mm long, the pappus attached near the apex of the ovary. Ovary about 3 mm long1 mm wide, oblanceoloid, sericeous, color close to 154A. Style+stigma length 10 mm long, 0.2-0.25 mm diameter. Style colored 1C. Stigma 2 lobed, each about 2-3 mm long, colored 18A, spreading, from slightly ascending to slightly descending. The terminal portion of the stigma lobes is covered with fine, spreading hairs. Unopened mature disc flower buds oblanceoloid, 11 mm long to top of ovary, 1 mm in diameter, color 13C. [0017] Fruit: An achene 3.5-4 mm long, 0.75 mm thick at the widest point, dorsally compressed, angular, sericeous. Wind dispersed by the still attached pappus, the longest bristles 6 mm long. Achene color closest to 191B. Attachment point of achene colored closest to 155C. Distal tip of achene colored 163C at the floral scar.

COMPARISONS TO RELATED TURPENTINE BUSHES

[0018] The inventor knows no other patented Ericameria laricifolia cultivars. Two existing unpatented cultivars have been available in the nursery trade. Desert Mountain is a seed based cultivar from a wild population in North Scottsdale. The plants are quite variable as this is an open pollinated population of plants. Desert Mountain has been widely used for revegetation in the Phoenix area. In general these plants have a feathery form growing to 2-3 feet tall2-3 feet wide. This cultivar seems to have gone out of production, as the original grower no longer lists it either on its availability or grow lists. Cultivar Aguirre is a clonal selection from New Mexico selected for showy flowers and rich green foliage. This cultivar is listed as growing to 2-3 feet tall and wide. A third cultivar called Texas Canyon can be found listed on internet information sites, but no nurseries can be found that produce or sell it.

[0019] Compared to Desert Mountain, Ericameria Butterbloom is more uniform, dense and even in growth habit. Bushes of Butterbloom are rounded, compared to the feathery form of Desert Mountain.

[0020] Compared to Aguirre, Butterbloom is more uniform, dense and less open in growth form. Compared to the other cultivar descriptions, Butterbloom is larger and less tall than wide at 3 feet tall5 feet wide in the 4 year old individual examined. It should be noted that the phenotype of this species is quite plastic in response to both light and available water, such that the existing cultivars might reach sizes similar to Butterbloom under favorable conditions.