Gregg Ash Tree Named 'Libby Davison'

Abstract

A new and distinct Fraxinus greggii tree named Libby Davison is characterized by unusually large, dark green leaves, improved growth rate, improved cold hardiness and is more evergreen than other available Gregg ash.

Claims

1. A new and distinct Fraxinus greggii plant substantially as described and illustrated herein.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The accompanying photographs illustrate Fraxinus greggii Libby Davison growing near Sahuarita, Ariz., depicted in color as nearly correct as it is possible to make in a color illustration of the character.

[0009] FIG. 1 shows Fraxinus greggii Libby Davison growing near Sahuarita, Ariz. at age 10.

[0010] FIG. 2 shows the main trunk of the tree illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0011] FIG. 3 shows the first branch above the trunk illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0012] FIG. 4 shows young leaves of Fraxinus greggii Libby Davison.

[0013] FIG. 5 shows mature leaves of Fraxinus greggii Libby Davison.

[0014] FIG. 6 shows an inflorescence of Fraxinus greggii Libby Davison.

DETAILED PLANT DESCRIPTION

[0015] The following is a detailed description of the new Fraxinus greggii Libby Davison. The specimen described is a 10 year old plant growing under irrigation near Sahuarita, Ariz. The included color descriptions are based upon the 5.sup.th edition R.H.S. Colour Chart. Color names other than common usage are as listed in COLOR Universal Language and Dictionary of Names, by Kenneth L. Kelly and Deane B. Judd; National Bureau of Standards special publication 440. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Commerce, National Bureau of Standards, December 1976. [0016] Form: A multitrunked, small, evergreen tree measuring about 18 ft tall20 ft wide at age 10. [0017] Trunk: About 6 inches in caliper at the minimum diameter zone between the root swell and first branching (about 8 inches above ground level). [0018] Branch angle: Between about 40 and 75. [0019] Stems: Young, but mature stems, cylindrical, 2-3 mm in diameter, color N187C, finely and obscurely puberulous with scattered lenticels; these lenticels colored N170D, more or less elongated longitudinally and rising slightly above the stem surface, from 0.4 mm wide0.4 mm long to 0.4 mm wide1 mm long. Internodes vary from 4 to 16 mm in length. Dormant buds 1 mm wide1 mm long, ovoid, laterally compressed, very finely puberulent, color 164D. Bud scales not discernable. By the time the stem diameter reaches about 1 inch, the bark surface becomes finely elongated reticulate color N187C, the reticulum slightly raised above the general surface. The lenticels (color N187D) at this stage tend to cluster in small groups parallel to the stem axis, varying from 0.4 mm0.4 mm to 2 mm1.6 mm, mostly oriented perpendicular to the axis. Older mature bark eventually becoming flakey and somewhat platy, color N187C. Newly forming bark in cracks and under flakes closest to color 161D. [0020] Leaves: Evergreen, opposite leaf arrangement, leaves odd pinnately compound, overall shape roughly ovate; young leaves mealy with sparse puberulent hairs, all deciduous by maturity, ultimately glabrous, somewhat coriaceous and lustrous; leaflets 1-7, mostly 5, the terminal leaflet larger than the laterals; leaflets oblanceolate, obscurely and irregularly toothed; apex of leaflets elliptical, rounded, acute; leaflet bases acuminate. Color of new leaves 143A adaxially, 143C abaxially. Mature leaves color N137A adaxially and 138B abaxially. [0021] Leaf measurements and further details: Leaves 40-79 mm long18-35 mm wide. Petioles 13-23 mm long, 1 mm wide1 mm thick, flattened adaxially, rounded abaxially; slightly winged; adaxial surface basally 143B grading to 143C terminally; abaxial surface of petiole colored as the leaves (138B). Leaf rachis, color 139C, first segment 14-16 mm long, 1 mm wide, 0.75 mm thick with a depressed central longitudinal vein, which is colored 139D. Abaxial color same as leaves, color 138B. Terminal leaflets measure from 31-42 mm long6-9 mm wide. Lateral leaflets measure from 18-26 mm long5-6 mm wide. [0022] Reproductive structures: Inflorescences axillary, opposite, and paniculate with 1-7 branches each, comprised of 5-30 flowers per inflorescence, flowers hermaphroditic. Inflorescences are 7-15 mm wide by 7-25 mm long, spreading and somewhat cascading. Peduncles measure 1 mm thick1 mm long, terete, with a mealy surface. The base color is 143A, the flakes of the mealy portion 161A. Inflorescence bracts are paired (opposite) oblong/lanceolate in shape, finely sericeous abaxially, color 161A and 1.5-3 mm long1 mm wide. Interior of bracts are glabrous, color 151A. Floral bracts appear similar to inflorescence bracts, but of smaller size with somewhat reduced pubescence, measuring 1-1.5 mm long0.5-0.75 mm wide. Flowers are comprised of 4 sepals fused at the base, without petals, 2 exserted, basifixed stamens and one pistil with 2 stigma lobes. Pedicels measure 2-3 mm long0.5 mm thick, terete, color 144A with scattered wooly hairs. The cup shaped calyx (measuring 1 mm long1 mm thick) is comprised of 4 sepals; fused at the base, ovate in shape, 1 mm wide1 mm long, color 145A. Sepal exterior is covered with scattered wooly hairs, tufted at the apex of the sepal and appearing ciliate in casual view. Sepal interior is glabrous. The corolla is absent. Flowers have two opposing exserted stamens attached to the receptacle, each as follows: Anthers are 2 mm long1 mm thick, ovate in shape; color varying from 59A-C and sometimes grading to145B-C basally. Filament at anthesis measures 1.3 mm long0.3 mm wide, more or less terete, color 157A. Anthers dehisce longitudinally on 2 lines. Post dehiscence the anther color dries to 187A. Pollen is produced, color 158A. The ovary is superior, with one ovule, 0.3 mm long0.3 mm thick at anthesis, glabrous, color 145A. The ovary becomes somewhat flattened, 3 ribbed and ovate in shape following pollination. The style measures 0.5 mm long0.5 mm thick at anthesis, terete, glabrous, color 145A. The stigma is two lobed, the lobes parallel to slightly spreading, roughly oblong in shape, 0.66 mm long0.33 mm thick at anthesis, terete, color 151A. The stigma darkens to 187B following pollination. No fruits or seeds have been produced in 10 years of growth at the Sahuarita, Ariz. location. The reasons for this are unknown, as the plant seems to produce healthy flowers and pollen. It is speculated that the species may be self-incompatible and since no other blooming plants are growing nearby, no fruit is set. [0023] Diseases and pests: None observed.

COMPARISONS TO RELATED FRAXINUS

[0024] No selected varieties of Fraxinus greggii are known to the inventor. Compared to seed grown Gregg ash, Libby Davison has improved cold hardiness, evergreen tendency with a faster growth rate and larger, darker green leaves. As a clonally reproduced plant, Fraxinus greggii Libby Davison avoids the crippled plants normally found among seedling Gregg ash and is uniform in growth and form.