Guzmania plant named 'DURAPRI'

Abstract

A new and distinct variety of Guzmania plant named DURAPRI which is characterized by the combination of a flattened globular plant profile with foliage arranged in an attractive rosette, relatively short foliage with a dark green upper surface and a greyed-purple lower surface, an inflorescence with a rounded profile, born on a short peduncle, an inflorescence with red floral bracts which are tipped white, and the stability of all characteristics from generation to generation.

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of Guzmania plant named DURAPRI, substantially as described and illustrated herein.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0011] 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 DURAPRI grown in a commercial greenhouse in Evergem, Belgium. This plant is approximately 18 month old, shown planted in a 9 cm container.

[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, the typical adaxial surface of the mature foliage of DURAPRI.

[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, the typical abaxial surface of the mature foliage of DURAPRI.

[0014] FIG. 4 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, the typical inflorescence of DURAPRI.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

[0015] The following observations and measurements made in June of 2017 describe averages from a sample set of six specimens of 12 month-old DURAPRI plants grown in 8 cm nursery pots at a commercial greenhouse in Evergem, Belgium. Plants were grown under light maximum light levels of approximately 12,000 lux. Plants were maintained with a fertigation program and regularly watered with overhead irrigation. No chemical pest measures were taken.

[0016] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristics will vary with older or, conversely, with younger plants. DURAPRI 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, climactic and cultural conditions. Color notations are based on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, The Royal Horticultural Society, London, 2015 (sixth edition).

[0017] A botanical description of DURAPRI and a comparison with the parent plants and most similar variety of Guzmania are provided below. [0018] Plant description: [0019] Growth habit.Perennial; monopodial; broad, upright. Leaves arranged in a basal rosette, with no lateral branching, and the inflorescence growing from the center of the basal rosette. [0020] Plant form.Flattened globular. [0021] Average height.13.0 cm, from the soil level to the top of the foliar plane, and 16.5 to the top of the floral plane. [0022] Plant spread.Average of 31.0 cm. [0023] Growth rate.Low. [0024] Plant vigor.Low to moderate. [0025] Propagation type.Mericloning. [0026] Time to initiate roots.Approximately 14 days to initiate roots at 22 degrees Celsius. [0027] Time to produce a finished plant.Approximately 12 months are needed to produce a marketable plant in an 8 cm container. [0028] Pest resistance and susceptibility.Not any more or less tolerant or susceptible to pests or diseases known to effect Guzmania. [0029] Temperature tolerances.USDA Zones 10 to 12; at least tolerant of temperatures to 40 degrees Celsius. High tolerance to rain inundation; high tolerance to wind. [0030] Root system: [0031] General.Thick; medium density. [0032] Texture.Slightly fleshy. [0033] Foliage: [0034] Arrangement.Rosulate. No stems or lateral branches, the leaves form a stem-like structure not consisting of a stem as such, but only consisting of the leaf sheaths. [0035] Attachment.Sheathed. [0036] Division.Simple. [0037] Quantity of leaves.16. [0038] Lamina.Dimensions 23.8 cm long and 3.0 cm wide. Thickness Approximately 0.9 cm. Shape of blade Ensiform. Aspect Slightly concave. Attitude Moderately reflexed. Apex Apiculate. Base Sheathing. Margin Entire; not undulated. Pubescence, texture and luster of adaxial surface Glabrous, smooth and matte. Pubescence, texture and luster of abaxial surface Glabrous, smooth and slightly glossy. Color Juvenile foliage, adaxial surface Yellow-green, nearest to in between RHS 147A and 147B; middle section is greyed-purple, nearest to RHS N186C; fading lighter towards the base, nearest to RHS 184A. Juvenile foliage, abaxial surface Greyed-purple, nearest to RHS N186C; fading lighter towards the base, nearest to RHS 184A. Mature foliage, adaxial surface Green, nearest to RHS NN137B; fading to yellow-green towards the base, nearest to in between RHS 152A and 152B. Mature foliage, abaxial surface Greyed-purple, nearest to RHS N186C. Venation Pattern Parallel. Mature foliage venation, adaxial surface Green, nearest to RHS NN137B; veins at the base are greyed-purple, nearest to RHS 184A. Mature foliage venation, abaxial surface Greyed-purple, nearest to RHS N186C, and darker towards the base, nearest to RHS 184A. [0039] Sheath.Sheath length Average 6.4 cm. Sheath width Average 6.3 cm. Sheath color In between greyed-yellow and greyed-brown, nearest to RHS 161A and 199D, respectively; veined greyed-purple, nearest to a combination of RHS 183A and 183B. [0040] Inflorescence: [0041] Inflorescence arrangement.Terminal spike with showy bracts and an average of 26 flowers. [0042] Natural flowering season.Continuously. [0043] Time to flower.Approximately 6 months. [0044] Inflorescence quantity.One. [0045] Flowers per inflorescence.Average of 26, with 10 open flower and 16 in bud stage and not opening. [0046] Inflorescence height.Approximately 6.1 cm (measured from base of lowest flower to top of upper flower). [0047] Inflorescence diameter.Average of 4.2 cm, excluding bracts, and 6.0 cm with bracts. [0048] Peduncle.Dimensions Approximately 10.2 cm long and 0.8 cm in diameter. Aspect Vertical. Strength Strong. Texture and luster Glabrous, smooth, and very slightly glossy. Color White, RHS NN155B. [0049] Bud: [0050] Length.Average of 1.7 cm. [0051] Diameter.Average of 0.4 cm. [0052] Shape.Lanceolate. [0053] Texture and luster.Glabrous, smooth, and moderately glossy. [0054] Color.White, nearest to RHS NN155B. [0055] Flower: [0056] Flower type and form.Single; oblanceolate to narrow oblong. [0057] Attachment.Sessile. [0058] Aspect.Upright. [0059] Flowering habit.Freely flowering; continuous. [0060] Height.Approximately 0.6 cm. [0061] Diameter.Average of 0.6 cm. [0062] Depth.Approximately 3.1 cm. [0063] Floral throat.diameter 0.2 cm. [0064] Floral throat texture.Glabrous; smooth. [0065] Diameter of floral tube.0.2 cm. [0066] Length of floral tube.2.2 cm. [0067] Floral tube texture, outer and inner surfaces.Glabrous; smooth. [0068] Fragrance.No fragrance. [0069] Lastingness.4 weeks. [0070] Persistent.Persistent. [0071] Petals.Quantity of Petals 3. Arrangement Rotate; single whorl of fused petals with the proximal 75% of the petals fused. Length Approximately 2.8 cm. Width Approximately 0.4 cm. Shape Narrow spatulate; concave. Apex Obtuse. Base Fused into a tube. Margin Entire; not undulated. Pubescence, texture and luster of upper surface Glabrous, smooth and matte. Pubescence, texture and luster of lower surface Glabrous, smooth and very slightly glossy. Color when opening, upper surface White, nearest to in between RHS 155A and 155B. Color when opening, lower surface White, nearest to in between RHS 155A and 155B. Color when fully opened, upper surface White, nearest to in between RHS 155A and 155B. Color when fully opened, lower surface White, nearest to in between RHS 155A and 155B. Fading, upper surface Not fading. Fading, lower surface Not fading. Venation color, fully opened, upper surface No venation is visible. Venation color, fully opened, lower surface No venation is visible. Floral throat color White, nearest to in between RHS 155A and 155B. Floral throat venation color No venation is visible. Floral tube color, when fully opened Yellow-white, nearest to RHS 158D. Floral tube venation color No venation is visible. [0072] Calyx.Shape Rotate. Length Average of 1.7 cm. Diameter Average of 0.6 cm. [0073] Sepals.Quantity 3 unfused sepals in a single whorl. Arrangement Rotate. Length 1.7 cm. Width 0.4 cm. Shape Lanceolate. Apex Acute. Base Cuneate. Margin Entire. Pubescence, texture and luster of upper surface Glabrous, smooth, and matte. Pubescence, texture and luster of lower surface Glabrous, smooth, and slightly glossy. Color when opening, upper surface White, nearest to in between RHS 155A and 155B. Color when opening, lower surface White, nearest to in between RHS 155A and 155B. Color when fully opened, upper surface White, nearest to in between RHS 155A and 155B. Color when fully opened, lower surface White, nearest to in between RHS 155A and 155B. [0074] Bract.General One large, colorful bract at the base of each individual flower. Quantity Average of 15. Shape Broad ovate to broad oblong; concave. Dimensions Average of 4.2 cm long, including the sheath, and 1.9 cm wide. Apex Obtuse. Base Broad cuneate. Margins Entire. Texture and luster, upper surface Smooth and moderately glossy. Texture and luster, lower surface Smooth and moderately glossy. Uppermost immature bract color, upper surface Red, nearest to RHS 44A, and fading lighter towards the base, nearest to RHS 44C; apex is white, nearest to RHS NN155D. Uppermost immature bract color, lower surface Red, nearest to RHS 44B, and fading lighter towards the base, nearest to RHS 44D; apex is white, nearest to RHS NN155D. Mature bract color, upper surface Red, nearest to RHS 44A, and fading lighter towards the base, nearest to RHS 44C. Mature bract color, lower surface Red, nearest to RHS 44A; apex is greyed-purple, nearest to RHS N186C. Venation No venation is visible. [0075] Reproductive organs: [0076] Stamens.Quantity 6, on average. Anthers Shape Dorsifixed; linear. Dimensions Average of 0.4 cm long and 0.075 cm wide. Color Greyed-brown, nearest to RHS N199A. Filaments Length 0.2 cm, on average. Color White, nearest to RHS 155A. Pollen Abundance Moderately abundant. Color Yellow-white, nearest to in between RHS 158B and 158C. [0077] Pistil.Quantity 1. Length 0.6 cm. Style Length 0.5 cm. Color Greyed-brown, nearest to RHS N199B. Stigma Shape Club-shaped. Dimensions Average of 0.1 cm long and 0.1 cm wide. Color Greyed-brown, nearest to RHS N199B. Ovary color Brown, nearest to in between RHS 200C and 200D. [0078] Fruit and seed: To date, not observed.

COMPARISONS WITH THE PARENT PLANT

[0079] Plants of the new cultivar DURAPRI differ from its seed parent, Guzmania lingulata Fortuna (not patented), by the characteristics described in Chart 1.

TABLE-US-00001 CHART 1 Characteristic DURAPRI Fortuna Length of foliage. Short. Long. Peduncle length. Shorter than Fortuna. Longer than DURAPRI General profile of the Rounded. Flat. inflorescence.

[0080] Plants of the new cultivar DURAPRI differ from its pollen parent, an unnamed miniature form of Guzmania lingulata El Cope (not patented), by the characteristics described in Chart 2.

TABLE-US-00002 CHART 2 Characteristic DURAPRI The pollen parent. Inflorescence attitude. Erect. Not as upright as DURAPRI. Length of foliage. Short. Long. Inflorescence height. Short; compact. Tall; elongated.

COMPARISON WITH THE MOST SIMILAR GUZMANIA CULTIVAR KNOWN TO THE INVENTOR

[0081] DURAPRI is similar in many horticultural characteristics to the commercial cultivar Guzmania DURAREV (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 24,996). However DURAPRI differs from DURAREV by the characteristics described in Chart 3.

TABLE-US-00003 CHART 3 Characteristic DURAPRI DURAREV General profile of the Rounded. Flat. inflorescence. General coloration of the White. Red. floral bract tip.