Asplenium plant named ‘Campio’

Abstract

A new and distinct Asplenium nidus cultivar named Campio which is characterized by an upright growth habit, dark green foliage, broad leaves and irregularly incised margins with little undulation, and the stability of these characteristics from generation to generation.

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of Asplenium nidus plant named Campio, 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 Campio grown in a commercial greenhouse in Mariahout, The Netherlands. This plant is approximately 8 month old, shown planted in a 17 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 apical foliage habit of Campio.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

(3) The following observations and measurements made in April of 2017 describe averages from a sample set of six specimens of 8 month old Campio plants grown in 17 cm nursery containers at a greenhouse in Mariahout, The Netherlands. Plants were produced using conventional greenhouse production protocols which consisted of overhead irrigation, liquid fertilizer applications, and chemical pest control measures for aphids as required. Temperatures ranged from approximately 5 to 15 degrees Celsius during the day and 1 to 12 degrees Celsius at night. No photoperiodic treatments or artificial light was given to the plants.

(4) Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristics will vary with older or, conversely, with younger plants. Campio 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).

(5) A botanical description of Campio and a comparison with the parent, Asplenium nidus FIMBRIATUM, and closest known comparator are provided below. Plant description: Growth habit.Herbaceous perennial fern with an upright growth habit; leaves growing from a basal rosette forming a broad, inverted triangular-shaped plant form. Height from soil level to top of foliar plane.29.5 cm, on average. Plant spread.Average of 44.5 cm. Growth rate.Moderate. Plant vigor.Moderate. Propagation.Type Mericloning. Time to initiate roots Approximately 80 days at about 25 degrees Celsius. Crop time Approximately 26 weeks from propagation to a marketable plant. Disease and pest resistance or susceptibility.Neither susceptibility nor resistance to pests and diseases common to Asplenium nidus varieties. Environmental tolerances.Adapt to, at least, USDA Zones 10 to 13 and temperatures as high as 35 degrees Celsius; high tolerance to rain; moderate tolerance to wind. Root system: General.Fine, well-branched fibrous roots. Color.Brown, nearest to 200B. Foliage: Arrangement.Alternate; growing in basal rosettes. Division.Simple. Quantity.Approximately 22 leaves per plant. Dimensions.31.1 cm long and 8.2 cm wide, on average. Shape.Oblanceolate. Aspect.Flat. Attitude.Approximately 40 degrees to vertical. Apex.Narrow obtuse to bluntly acute. Base.Attenuate. Margin.Irregularly incised and occasionally deeply incised, giving the appearance of a lobed leaf margin; leaves are very slightly undulate. Pubescence, texture and luster of adaxial surface.Glabrous, smooth, and very glossy. Pubescence, texture and luster of abaxial surface.Glabrous, smooth, and very glossy. Color.Juvenile foliage, adaxial surface Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 144A. Juvenile foliage, abaxial surface Yellow-green, nearest to in between RHS 144A and 144B. Mature foliage, adaxial surface Nearest to in between green, RHS 137A, and yellow-green, RHS 146A. Mature foliage, abaxial surface Nearest to in between green, RHS 137A, and yellow-green, RHS 146A. Venation.Pinnate. Venation color, adaxial surface.The main vein is green, nearest to RHS NN137A, and is heavily suffused with brown towards the proximal end, nearest to in between RHS 200A and 200B. Secondary veins are in between green, RHS 137A, and yellow-green, RHS 146A. Venation color, abaxial surface.The main vein is green, nearest to RHS NN137A, and is heavily suffused with brown towards the proximal end, nearest to in between RHS 200A and 200B. Secondary veins are in between green, RHS 137A, and yellow-green, RHS 146A. Petiole.No petioles present, leaves sessile. Sori: No sori present.

Comparisons With the Parent Plant

(6) Plants of the new cultivar Campio differ from the parent, Asplenium nidus FIMBRIATUM, in the following characteristics: 1. Campio exhibits foliage which is much broader than that of the FIMBRIATUM. 2. Campio exhibits an irregularly incised leaf margin, whereas the leaf margins of FIMBRIATUM are deeply serrated.

Comparisons With the Most Similar Variety

(7) Plants of the new cultivar Campio differ from the closest known comparator, Asplenium nidus Avis, in the following characteristics: 1. Campio exhibits a more upright growth habit than that of Avis. 2. Campio exhibits foliage which is much broader than that of the Avis. 3. Campio exhibits foliage which is darker green than that of the Avis. 4. Campio exhibits less visible foliage venation than that of the Avis. 5. Campio exhibits an irregularly incised leaf margin, whereas the leaf margins of Avis are entire to slightly incised. 6. The leaf margins of Campio are very slightly undulated, whereas the leaf margins of Avis are moderately to heavily undulated.