Pennisetum alopecuroides plant named ‘Yellow Ribbons’

Abstract

A new, distinct Pennisetum alopecuroides plant as shown and described, characterized by yellow foliage and yellow-green inflorescences on 50 cm stems that start in mid-August in northern Illinois.

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of Pennisetum alopecuroides plant named Yellow Ribbons as illustrated and described, characterized by yellow foliage and yellow-green inflorescences on 50 cm stems that start in mid-August in northern Illinois.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF PHOTOGRAPHS

(1) FIG. 1. Shows the golden foliage on a plant in Hebron, Ill. USA.

(2) FIG. 2. Shows a close up of the flower in Hebron, Ill. USA.

(3) FIG. 3. Shows an entire plant blooming in August in Hebron, Ill. USA

(4) DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

(5) In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (2001). The plant herein described is a one year old, three gallon specimen grown in full sun and irrigated in Hebron, Ill. Botanical classification: Pennisetum alopecuroides cultivar Yellow Ribbons. Parentage: Pennisetum alopecuroides unnamed seedling selections. Propagation: Vegetative division. Plant description: Overall habit of the new Pennisetum is strongly clumping mounds with upright stems topped by yellow-green colored inflorescences in mid-August. Vigor is moderate to fast. Plant height.50 cm. Plant width.60 cm. Stem diameter.4 mm. Stem color.At the base 151 A; 155 D at the center; 146 C at the top. Foliage: Type.Deciduous, grass growing in culms. Shape.Blade. Petiole.None. Blade length.27 cm average, ranging from 19-35 cm, Width 5 mm. Immature adaxial leaf description.The leaf color is yellow-green color 151 C. Immature abaxial leaf description.The leaf color is yellow-green color 151 C. Mature adaxial leaf description.The leaf color is yellow-green color 146 B. Mature abaxial leaf description.The leaf color is yellow-green color 146 B. Basal Leaf sheath color.146 B. Leaf sheath.Glabrous. Auricles.Not present. Ligules.As wide as the leaf blade, 1 mm tall, color 146 B. Collars.Continuous, as wide as the leaf blade, less than 1 mm tall, color 146 B. Leafbuds.Folded in the bud stage. Rhizomes or stolons.None. The attitude of the tiller on the culm is erect, 45 degrees from the culm. The culm node is glabrous and color at the node is 146 B. Internode.Length 7-10 cm. Culm diameter and color at the internode.4 mm, close to 146 B. Fall leaf color.Mostly green 146 B with some 153 D fall color. Flower inflorescence: Number of spike bearing tillers in the culmus.38. Inflorescence type.Terminal bristled spike. Floret color.153 A. Individual floret size.1 mm across, 7 mm tall. Anther coloration and size.N200 A, 4 mm long, 0.5 mm wide. Stigma color and size.Close to 153 A, 7 mm long, 1 mm wide. Glume color and size.Close to 153 A, 5 mm, less than 1 mm wide. Bristle size.20 mm long, less than 1 mm wide. Bristle color.165 A. Caryopsis color.153 A, shape elliptic. Overall inflorescence spike size.3 cm wide, 12 cm long. Flower number.Approximately 125 florets per mature spike measuring 3 cm wide, 12 cm long. Fertility.Self-fertile, Fertile with 3 Anthers and 3 Stamens, 1 Stigma. Blooming habit.Terminal bristled spike on up to 63 cm stems. Bloom period and duration.Mid-August into October. Scent.No scent noticed. Bloom color overall.153 A. Roots.Stiff, fibrous, and freely branching. Fruit.Seed identical to the species except size is a slightly smaller. Color 153 A. Disease resistance.Plants are not susceptible to any major pests or diseases.