Prunus plant named ‘MONARONE’

Abstract

A new and distinct cultivar of Prunus plant named MONARONE is disclosed, characterized by reduced flower and fruit production on compact plants. Foliage is distinctively short and has less susceptibility to shot hole disease. The new cultivar is a Prunus, suitable for ornamental garden purposes.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Prunus laurocerasus plant named MONARONE as herein illustrated and described.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

(1) The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a typical plant of MONARONE grown outdoors in Oreg.

(2) FIG. 2 illustrates in full color a close up of the foliage. The plant is approximately 2 years old, and is planted in a 5 gallon pot.

(3) The photographs were 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

(4) In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 2007 except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe MONARONE plants grown outdoors in Dayton, Oreg. Plants are approximately 2 to 3 years old, in a 5 gallon nursery container. Temperatures ranged from 8 C. to 20 C. at night to 5 C. to 35 C. during the day. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types. Botanical classification: Prunus laurocerasus MONARONE.

PROPAGATION

(5) Time to rooting: Approximately 4 to 8 weeks at approximately 20 C. to 30 C. from semi-hardwood cuttings. Root description: Fine, fibrous young roots. Older roots becoming woody. Tan and brown in color, not accurately measured with R.H.S. chart.

PLANT

(6) Growth habit: Upright and outwardly spreading evergreen shrub. Moderately dense. Shape: Round. Height: Approximately 60 to 65 cm. Plant spread: Approximately 60 to 65 cm. Branching characteristics: Above average branching for the species, average 6 to 8 main branches, angled approximately 15 to 45 degrees on average. Length of lateral branches: Approximately 25 to 40 cm. Diameter of lateral branches: Approximately 0.7 to 1.0 cm. Lateral branch strength: Very strong, with some flexibility. Lateral branch color: Young branches near RHS Yellow-Green 144A. Mature branches: Near RHS Greyed-Green 197A. Stem texture: No pubescence observed. Texture moderately rough, somewhat scaly. Lenticels: Scant, round, 1mm diameter colored near 197D. Occuring only on older, woody branches. Number of leaves per lateral branch: Average 25 to 45. Internode length: 1.0 to 1.5 cm. Age of plant described: Approximately 2 to 3 years.

FOLIAGE

(7) Leaf: Type.Simple. Arrangement.Alternate. Average length.Approximately 8.0 to 10.5 cm. Average width.Approximately 2.0 to 2.5 cm. Shape of blade.Elliptic. Apex.Acute. Base.Attenuate. Attachment.Short petiolate. Margin.Entire. Aspect.Moderate upward fold from center vein. Texture of top surface.Smooth. Texture of bottom surface.Smooth. Appearance of top surface.Very glossy. Texture of bottom surface.Matte. Leaf internode length.Approximately 0.5 to 1.1 cm. Color.Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 139A. Young foliage under side: Near RHS Green 143C. Mature foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 139A. Mature foliage under side: Near RHS Green 143C. Venation.Type: Pinnate. Venation color upper side: Near Green 143C. Venation color under side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 144B. Petiole: Length.6 mm. Width.3 mm. Texture.Glabrous all surfaces. Color.Upper Surface: Yellow-Green 144B. Lower Surface: Yellow Green 144A.

FLOWER

(8) Inflorescence: Description.Single flowers arranged in racemes. Flowering season.Spring. Flower longevity.3-4 weeks. Fragrance.Moderate to strong. Inflorescence per branch.Average range 1 to 5. Number of flowers per inflorescence.About 100 to 150. Inflorescence height.Avg. 8.0 cm. Inflorescence diameter.Avg. 5.0 cm. Flowers: Flower diameter.6 mm. Flower depth.5 mm. Flower angle.Outwardly facing. Persistent of self-cleaning.Self-Cleaning. Flower bud.Length: 3 mm. Diameter: 2 mm. Shape: Round. Color: White 155A. Petals.Number: 5. Arrangement: Whorl. Length: Avg. 4 mm. Width: Avg. 2.5 mm. Shape: Obovate. Apex: Obtuse. Base: Fused. Margin: Entire. Texture: Glabrous, silky upper and lower surfaces. Color: Immature upper surface: White 155A. Immature lower surface: White 155A. Mature upper surface: Yellow-White 158D. Mature lower surface: White 155A. Hypanthium: Diameter.4 mm. Length.3 mm. Shape.Cup-shaped. Color.When opening: Upper surface: Near RHS Yellow-White 158D. Lower surface: Near RHS Yellow-White 158D. Fully opened: Upper surface: Near RHS Yellow 13D. Lower surface: Near RHS Yellow 11D. Calyx/sepals: Quantity per flower.Fused into a single, conical structure. Length.3 mm. Width.3 mm. Margin.Entire. Texture.Smooth. Color.Inner surface: Near RHS Yellow-Green 146C. Outer surface: Near RHS Yellow-Green 146C. Peduncle: Length.Avg. 4.5 cm. Width.Avg. 1.5 mm. Color.146A. Texture.Glabrous. Angle.Upright and slightly outward. Strength.Strong. Pedicels: Length.Avg. 1 mm. Diameter.Avg. 1 mm. Texture.Pubescent. Color.Yellow-Green 146C. Strength.Strong.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

(9) Gynoecium: Pistil number.1. Pistil length.Less than 1 mm. Stigma shape.Disc. Stigma color.Yellow-White 158D. Style length.Less than 1 mm. Style color.White 155D. Androecium: Stamen number.5. Filament length.1 mm. Filament color.Yellow-White 158D. Anther shape.Oblong. Anther length.0.5 mm. Anther color.Yellow 6 B. Amount of pollen.Scant. Pollen color.Yellow 6B.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

(10) Fruit: Approximately 5 to 20 per inflorescence. Spherical drupe 4 mm long, 4 mm in diameter, colored Black 202A over entire fruit, smooth texture, lenticels not observed. Fruits are slightly asymmetric and circular in lateral view. Fruit base is slightly depressed. Fruit apex is slightly and shallowly depressed. Interior cavity of the fruit is solid, somewhat dry and without observed stone. Fruit pedicel about 3 mm long on a fruit rachis of between 1.5 to 4.5 cm. Pedicel and fruit rachis colored near Yellow-Green 145C. Self-fruitful. Fruit production is erratic, occurring between July and September, some years no fruit may bear. Spurs not observed present. Disease and pest resistance: Observed less susceptible to the leaf blight referred to as shot hole disease: (Xanthomonas pruni and X. campestris). Less leaf damage, in the form of small holes in the leaf, have been observed than in comparable varieties grown in identical conditions. Drought tolerance: No tolerance for drought, extra water required in extremely high temperatures. Temperature tolerance: USDA Zones 6 to 9.