Lewisia plant named ‘LORE3509’

Abstract

A new and distinct Lewisia plant named LORE3509 which is characterized by improved plant vigor, an abundance of dark greyed-green foliage which is arranged in a symmetrical rosette, vibrant red-purple flowers, recurrent flowering from spring through summer with no vernalization requirement, as well as the stability of these characteristics from generation to generation.

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of Lewisia plant named LORE3509, 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 LORE3509 in flower, grown in a greenhouse in Mariahout, The Netherlands. This plant is approximately 12 months old, shown planted in a 15 cm container.

(2) FIG. 2 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, the typical foliage of LORE3509.

(3) FIG. 3 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, the typical inflorescence of LORE3509.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

(4) The following observations and measurements made in February of 2018 describe averages from a sample set of six specimens of 12 month old LORE3509 plants grown in 15 cm nursery containers at a commercial greenhouse in Mariahout, the Netherlands. Plants were produced under full sun exposure, with minimal subsurface irrigation, no fertilizer application, and no chemical pest and disease control measures. No photoperiodic treatments or artificial light was given to the plants.

(5) Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristics will vary with older or, conversely, with younger plants. LORE3509 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 LORE3509 and comparisons with the parent plants and closest known comparator are provided below. Plant description: Growth habit.Herbaceous evergreen perennial with foliage growing in a non-branched basal rosette. Plant shape.Flattened globular with inflorescence carried above the foliar plane. Height from soil level to top of foliar plane.9.1 cm. Height from soil level to top of floral plane.14.4 cm. Plant spread.Average of 20.2 cm. Growth rate.Moderate. Plant vigor.Moderate. Propagation.Type Meristematic tissue culture. Time to initiate rooting Approximately 21 days at 18 degrees Celsius. Crop time Approximately 14 weeks to produce a mature rooted cutting. Disease and pest resistance or susceptibility.Neither resistance nor susceptibility to typical Lewisia pests and diseases has been observed. Environmental tolerances.Adapt to USDA Zones 7 to 10 and temperatures as high as 40 degrees Celsius and at least as low as negative 12 degrees Celsius; moderate tolerance to rain yet drought tolerant once established; high tolerance to wind. Root system: General.Fine, well-branched fibrous roots. Stems: Branching habit.Leaves in a non-branching basal rosettes; no main branches or lateral branches present. Foliage: Arrangement.Rosulate. Division.Simple. Attachment.Sessile. Quantity.Approximately 146 leaves per rosette. Shape.Narrowly oblanceolate. Dimensions.9.7 cm long, 2.2 cm wide, and 0.2 cm thick, on average. Aspect.Slightly to moderately convex; slightly curved downward at the apex at an angle of 70 degrees to the lamina. Attitude.Younger foliage near the center of the rosette is very upright; foliage becoming progressively more relaxed towards the outer whorl of the rosette yet still generally upright; average angle of 50 degrees from horizontal. Apex.Apiculate. Base.Long cuneate. Margin.Entire; not undulated or lobed. Pubescence, texture and luster of the adaxial surface.Glabrous, moderately leathery, and matte. Pubescence, texture and luster of the abaxial surface.Glabrous, moderately leathery, and matte. Color.Juvenile foliage, adaxial surface Green, nearest to RHS 143A. Juvenile foliage, abaxial surface Yellow-green, nearest to in between RHS 144B and 145A. Mature foliage, adaxial surface Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 147A, and fading to a lighter shade of green-yellow towards the base, nearest to RHS 145A. Mature foliage, abaxial surface Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 146B, and fading to a lighter shade of green-yellow towards the base, nearest to RHS 146C. Venation.Venation No veins are visible, except the main central vein on the abaxial surface. Color, adaxial surface No veins are visible. Color, abaxial surface Midrib is yellow-green, nearest to RHS 145B. Petiole.No petiole; leaves are sessile. Inflorescence: Type.Axillary cyme. Natural flowering season.Spring and summer. Bloom habit.Recurrent flowering, approximately every 10 weeks. Flowers per inflorescence.Average of 35. Flowers per plant.Approximately 180 open flowers and 60 flower buds. Inflorescence height.Approximately 3.4 cm (measured from base of lowest flower to top of upper flower). Inflorescence diameter.Approximately 5.9 cm. Peduncle.Attitude Upright and outward. Cross section Ovoid; somewhat flattened. Dimensions 9.6 cm long and 0.3 cm wide. Texture Smooth; glabrous. Luster Moderately glossy. Strength Moderately strong. Color Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 152B. Flower buds: Bud shape.Narrow obovate. Bud dimensions.0.9 cm long and 0.3 cm in diameter. Bud texture.Smooth; glabrous. Bud luster.Moderately glossy. Bud color.Upper surface is orange-red, nearest to RHS N34C; lower surface is yellow-green, nearest to RHS 146B. Flower: Flower shape.Rotate, with a single whorl of petals. Lastingness.Flowers persist for approximately 10 days. Persistence.Persistent. Flower aspect.Outward to upright. Fragrance.Non-fragrant. Vertical height.Approximately 2.5 cm. Diameter.Approximately 2.5 cm. Depth.Approximately 1.3 cm. Calyx.Calyx shape Comprised of two oppositely placed sepals. Calyx dimensions 0.6 cm in diameter at the widest point and 0.4 at the narrowest; 0.6 cm deep. Sepals Sepal arrangement Opposite; not fused. Number of sepals 2. Dimensions 0.5 cm long and 0.5 cm wide. Margins Short pectinate; not undulated. Shape Near orbicular. Apex Short pectinate. Base Broad cuneate. Sepal texture (inner surface) Smooth; glabrous. Sepal texture (outer surface) Smooth; glabrous. Sepal luster (inner surface) Glossy. Sepal luster (outer surface) Glossy. Sepal color, when opening (inner surface) Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 146B. Sepal color, when opening (outer surface) Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 146B. Sepal color, when fully opened (inner surface) Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 146C. Sepal color, when fully opened (outer surface) Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 146C. Corolla.Pedicel Attitude At an angle of approximately 30 degrees to the peduncle. Cross section Ovoid; somewhat flattened. Dimensions 0.2 cm long and 0.075 cm wide. Texture Smooth; glabrous. Luster Moderately glossy. Strength Moderately strong. Color Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 146C. Petals Quantity 9. Arrangement Rotate. Fused or free Free. Dimensions Approximately 1.5 cm long and 0.6 cm wide. Shape Obovate. Apex Undeeply praemorse. Base Cuneate. Aspect Lightly involute and moderately reflexed. Margin Entire; lightly undulated. Texture (upper side) Glabrous and slightly velvety. Texture (under side) Glabrous and slightly velvety. Luster (upper side) Matte. Luster (under side) Slightly glossy. Color when opening (upper side) Red, nearest to RHS 45D. Color when opening (under side) Red, nearest to RHS 42C, and fading to RHS 45D at the base. Color when fully opened (upper side) Red-purple, nearest to RHS 61B. Color when fully opened (under side) Red-purple, nearest to in between RHS 61B and 61C. Venation color (upper side) No veins visible. Venation color (under side) No veins visible. Color when faded (upper side) Red-purple, nearest to RHS 72A. Color when faded (under side) Red-purple, nearest to RHS 72A. Reproductive organs: Androecium.Stamen quantity 8. Filament Dimensions 1.0 cm and 0.1 cm in diameter. Color Purple, nearest to RHS 75B. Anther Attachment Basifixed. Shape Narrow oblong. Dimensions 0.15 cm long and 0.04 cm in diameter. Color Orange-red, nearest to RHS N34B. Pollen Amount of pollen Moderately abundant. Pollen color Yellow-orange, RHS 20A. Gynoecium.Pistil quantity One. Length overall 0.7 cm. Stigma Shape Trifurcated. Dimensions Approximately 0.2 cm in diameter and 0.2 cm long. Color Red-purple, nearest to RHS 67D. Style Dimensions 0.5 cm long and 0.1 cm in diameter. Color Red-purple, nearest to RHS 67C. Ovary Color Red-purple, nearest to RHS 67C. Seed and fruit: Not observed.

COMPARISONS WITH THE PARENT PLANT AND CLOSEST KNOWN COMPARATOR

(7) Plants of the new cultivar LORE3509 differ from the parent, Lewisia cotyledon 103500/A (not patented), in the following characteristics described in Table 1 below.

(8) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Characteristic LORE3509 103500/A Growth habit. Rosette is more Rosette is less symmetrical than that of symmetrical than that of 103500/A. LORE3509. Plant height. Shorter than 103500/A. Taller than LORE3509. Bloom period. Longer than that of Shorter than that of 103500/A. LORE3509. General coloration Red-purple. Vibrant pink. of the flower, when fully open.

COMPARISONS WITH THE CLOSEST KNOWN COMPARATOR

(9) Plants of the new cultivar LORE3509 differ from the closest known commercial comparator, Lewisia Sunset Strain (not patented), in the following characteristics described in Table 2 below.

(10) TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Characteristic LORE3509 Sunset Strain Plant height. Shorter than Sunset Taller than LORE3509. Strain. Foliage size. Smaller than Sunset Larger than LORE3509. Strain. Growth habit. Rosette is more Rosette is less symmetrical symmetrical than that than that of LORE3509. of Sunset Strain. General coloration Red-purple. Orange-yellow. of the flower, when fully open.