Apple tree named ‘UEB 42723’

Abstract

A new and distinct Malus domestica (Borkh.) ornamental variety that exhibits a columnar tree growth type, compact growth habit, V.sub.f-resistance against scab, attractive red-purple flowers, greyed-purple young leaves, green mature leaves, and small, red colored, obloid shaped fruits that persist on the tree after the fall of leaves into Winter. The new variety is suitable for home apple growing as solitary trees and can be useful for pollinating purposes.

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of Malus domestica (Borkh.) apple tree plant substantially as is herein described and illustrated.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The accompanying photographic drawings illustrate the new cultivar taken at varying ages of maturity as recited further below, with the color being as nearly true as possible with color illustrations of this type. It should be noted that colors may vary with growing conditions and time of year:

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates a section of the vertical trunk of the new variety at 2 years of age, showing details of its ornamental fruits;

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates details of fruits of the new variety from a 5-year old tree;

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates a young tree of the new variety grafted on MM 106 rootstock at 2 years of age, demonstrating that the fruits are persistent on the tree after its leaves fall into Winter;

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates a young tree of the new variety grafted on MM 106 rootstock at 2 years of age, at first flower opening;

(6) FIG. 5 illustrates a section of the vertical trunk of the new variety at 3 years of age, showing predominantly unopened flowers at the beginning of blossoming time;

(7) FIG. 6 illustrates a young tree of the new variety grafted on MM 106 rootstock at 5 years of age, with fully opened flowers;

(8) FIG. 7 illustrates details of fully opened flowers of the new variety from a 5-year old tree;

(9) FIG. 8 illustrates a young tree of the new variety grafted on MM 106 rootstock at 5 years of age, at the end of blossoming time;

(10) FIG. 9 illustrates a growing shoot of the new variety from a 5-year old tree; and

(11) FIG. 10 illustrates a close-up view of a mature leaf and a young leaf of the new variety from a 4-year old tree.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

(12) The following detailed description sets forth characteristics of the new cultivar. The new variety was grown under natural field conditions in The Czech Republic. The following fertilizer combination was used (Kg/ha/year): 55 parts nitrogen, 25 parts phosphorous, 60 parts potassium, 55 parts calcium, and 5 parts magnesium. Color references are primarily to The 1986 R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (in association with the Flower Council of Holland), Second Edition, and were identified under natural light. Tree: Age.Approximately 3 years. Size.Crown height of 1.6 m, width of 0.25 m. Vigor.Medium. Density.High. Form.Erect and compact. Production.Very precocious. Growth type.Columnar. Bearing.Annual; predominantly on spurs. Average productivity.4.5 kg per 5-year old tree. Trunk: Size.Approximately 4.0 cm in diameter at 30.0 cm from the soil line. Surface texture.Smooth. Bark color.Greyed-Orange Group RHS 166A. Lenticels (50.0 cm above ground).Length: 1.0 mm to 2.0 mm. Width: 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm. Color: Greyed-Orange Group RHS 164C. Density: Variable, with 5 to 7 lenticels on average per 1 cm.sup.2. Branches: Not applicableabsent. The variety lacks a conventional branching system along the tree trunk. Leaves: Length.About 60.0 mm to about 86.0 mm, averaging 69.0 mm. Width.About 38.0 mm to about 51.0 mm, averaging about 45.0 mm. Form.Ovate. Texture.Smooth. Thickness.Thin. Base.Rounded and asymmetric. Apex.Acuminate. Margin.Serrate. Attitude of leaf blade in relation to the shoot.Downwards. Pubescence.Upper surface: None present. Lower surface: Very fine. Color.Young leaves: Upper surface: Greyed-Purple Group RHS 183A. Lower surface: Greyed-Purple Group RHS 183D. Mature leaves: Upper surface: Green Group RHS 139A, combined with some Greyed-Purple Group RHS 187A. Lower surface: Green Group RHS 137C, combined with some Greyed-Purple Group RHS 185C. Stipule.Length: 0.6 cm. Shape: Narrow and elongated, with an acute apex. Color: Greyed-Purple Group RHS 183B. Petiole.Shape: Straight, with thickening and flattening at the base. Length: About 27.0 mm to 38.0 mm, averaging about 32.0 mm. Diameter: About 1.0 mm in the middle. Color: Red-Purple Group RHS 59A to 59B. Veins.Description: Palmate, medium dense, with pinnate main veins and netted minor veins. Color: Upper surface: Greyed-Purple Group RHS 186A. Lower surface: Greyed-Purple Group RHS 187A to 187B. Flower buds: Pedicel.Length: Typically in the range of 26.0 mm to 38.0 mm, with an average of 32.0 mm. Diameter: 1.1 mm on average. Color: Predominantly Red-Purple Group RHS 59A. Bud.Length: 14.0 mm on average. Width: 10.0 mm on average. Color: Predominantly Red-Purple Group RHS 59B to 59C. Flowers: Bloom timing.At the end of April/1.sup.st of May three days before Golden Delicious. Pollination requirements.Self-sterile, needs pollinators such as Malus x zumi (crab apple) Professor Sprenger (unpatented). Number of flowers per cluster.5 to 7. Fragrance.Faint. Average diameter.4.3 cm. Petals.Number: 5. Length: From 22.0 mm to 28.0 mm, with an average of 25.0 mm. Width: From 20.0 mm to 24.0 mm, with an average of 21.0 mm. Shape: Round to slightly oval. Apex: Obtuse. Base: Mucronate. Aspect: Positioned overlapping. Margin: Entire. Texture and appearance: Soft and smooth. Color: When opening: Upper surface: Red-Purple Group RHS 63B. Lower surface: Red-Purple Group RHS 63B to 63C. Fully opened: Upper surface: Red-Purple Group RHS 62B. Lower surface: Red-Purple Group RHS 62C. Sepals.Number: 5 (average). Shape: Long-conical; pointed. Margin: Entire. Texture: Finely pubescent (colorless). Length: Average of 7.0 mm from the union. Width: 3.0 mm in the middle. Color: Upper surface: Yellow-Green Group RHS 144B, with a Red-Purple Group RHS 59A apex. Lower surface: Red-Purple Group RHS 59B, with a with a Red-Purple Group RHS 59A apex. Stamens.Number (per flower): Average of 19. Filament length: 6.0 mm to 9.0 mm. Anthers.Shape: Oval. Length: 2.0 mm. Color: Yellow Group RHS 10C. Pollen.Color: Yellow Group RHS 10B. Amount (generally): Medium to high. Pistils.Length: 12.0 mm on average. Style.Length: 9.0 mm on average. Color: Red Group RHS 51C. Stigma.Shape: Rounded. Color: Red Group RHS 38A. Fruit: Bearing.Predominantly on spurs. Maturity when described.Harvest maturity (date of picking). Date of picking.Oct. 30, 2018. Size.Axial diameter: 22.0 mm to 29.0 mm; averaging about 25.0 mm. Transverse diameter: 32.0 mm to 37.0 mm; averaging about 33.0 mm. Weight per fruit.Average of 12 g. Form.Obloid; generally slightly ribbed and rarely medium ribbed. Cavity.Shape: Funnel. Depth: 4.0 mm-5.0 mm on average. Breadth: 10.0 mm-12.0 mm on average. Basin.Shape: Bowl. Depth: 7.0 mm-8.0 mm on average. Width: 15.0 mm on average. Calyx.Variable, but about 60% of fruits have no calyx lobes and about 40% exhibit a persistent calyx with semi-erect lobes. Skin: Thickness.Medium. Texture.Smooth, free of russet, with bloom on skin present. Tendency to crack.Absent. Overcolor.Red Group RHS 46A to 44A, 40-80% presence with bloom on the fruit Red-Purple Group RHS 58A. Ground color.Yellow-Green Group RHS 153A to Greyed-Yellow Group RHS 160A. Young fruit anthocyanin coloration.100% presence with very dark and high intensity. Lenticels.Average number of fruit: 238. Average length: 0.39 mm. Average width: 0.34 mm. Color: Orange-White Group RHS 159B to 159C. Flesh: Aroma.Weak, like an ornamental apple. Color.Red Group RHS 45A to Orange-White Group RHS 159A. Texture.Fine, firm. Eating quality.Not applicable, an ornamental variety. Core: Bundle area.Obloid on longitudinal section. Aperture of the locules in the transverse section.Moderately open. Bundle.Vascular strands are weakly distinguishable. Calyx tube.Short. Depth of tube to shoulder.3.5 mm on average. Styles.Often absent, rarely persistent as dry residues. Stamens.Often absent, rarely persistent as dry residues. Seed cells.Wall: Smooth. Depth: 4.0 mm to 5.0 mm on average. Breadth: 5.0 mm on average. Longitudinal section: 6.0 mm on average. Seeds: Number perfect.8 to 12 seeds, averaging about 10. Number in one cell.Mainly 2, sometimes 1 seed present. Length.7.0 mm on average. Breadth.4.0 mm on average. Form.Flattened and pyramidal with an acute tip. Color.Greyed-Orange Group RHS 175A to Greyed-Purple Group RHS 183A. Stem: Length.22.0 mm to 37.0 mm, averaging 28.5 mm. Width.0.9 mm to 1.4 mm, averaging 1.1 mm. Color.Greyed-Purple Group RHS 187A at the top to 187C at the base. General: Use.As an ornamental variety having a columnar tree growth type. Shipping quality.Not applicable ornamental variety. Keeping quality.Not applicable ornamental variety. Tree winter hardiness.No frost damage observed at the place of origin, lowest winter temperatures approximately 20 C. Bud winter hardiness.No frost damage observed at the place of origin, lowest winter temperatures approximately 20 C. Drought tolerance.Unknown. Disease resistance.V.sub.f-resistance against scab.