Lavandula plant named 'IBPRU41016'

Abstract

IBPRU41016 is a new and distinctive variety of Lavandula plant which is characterized by a compact growth habit, an abundance of dark violet-blue flowers borne on terminal spike inflorescences held slightly above the foliage, and very large purple sterile bracts with heavily undulating margins at the apex of each inflorescence. The new variety propagates successfully by stem cuttings and has shown to be uniform and stable in the resulting generations from asexual propagation.

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of Lavandula plant named IBPRU41016, substantially as described and illustrated herein.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0011] FIG. 1 shows, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color illustrations of this type, an exemplary IBPRU41016 plant at approximately 30 months old, potted into a 13 cm nursery pot, grown outdoors in Oudenaarde, Belgium.

[0012] FIG. 2 shows, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color illustrations of this type, the typical foliage of the plant in FIG. 1.

[0013] FIG. 3 shows, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color illustrations of this type, the typical inflorescence of the plant in FIG. 1.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

[0014] The following is a detailed botanical description of a new and distinct variety of Lavandula known as IBPRU41016, based upon observations of 30 month old field-grown plants in 13 cm nursery containers, produced in Oudenaarde, Belgium. Plants were produced in full sun using conventional production protocols for Lavandula plants which consisted of regular overhead irrigation, slow-release fertilizer applications as needed, and preventative fungicide applications on a monthly basis. Observation data was recorded in June of 2017.

[0015] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristics will vary with older or, conversely, with younger plants. IBPRU41016 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 measurements 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 edition.

[0016] A botanical description of IBPRU41016 and comparisons with the parent plants are provided below. [0017] General plant description: [0018] Growth habit.A broad, spreading to upright perennial subshrub. [0019] Plant form.Flattened globular. [0020] Height.12.8 cm to the top of the foliar plane; 18.1 cm to the top of the floral plane. [0021] Spread.22.6 cm. [0022] Plant vigor.Low. [0023] Growth rate.Low to moderate. [0024] Propagation.Softwood stem cuttings; rooting is initiated in approximately 10 days when grown at an ambient average temperature of 21 degrees Celsius. [0025] Pest resistance and susceptibility.Not any more or less tolerant or susceptible to pests or diseases known to effect Lavandula. [0026] Environmental tolerances.Adapt to, at least, USDA Zones 7 to 10 and temperatures to at least 40 degrees Celsius; moderate tolerance to rain; high tolerance to wind. [0027] Root system: Dense fibrous root system; relatively shallow; color of juvenile roots is nearest to yellow-white, RHS 158B; older roots are greyed-orange, RHS 163C. [0028] Stem: [0029] Branching habit.Basally branching main stems; freely branching with lateral branches. Stems and branches are strongly aromatic, typical of Lavandula. Pinching isn't required but will improve branching. [0030] Number of primary (main) stems per plant.10. [0031] Number of secondary (lateral) branches per plant.40. [0032] Lateral branch length.6.8 cm. [0033] Lateral branch diameter.0.2 cm. [0034] Lateral branch internode length.0.9 cm. [0035] Appearance and shape.Quadrangular. [0036] Aspect of main stems.35 degrees from vertical, on average; varying between 0 and 70 degrees. [0037] Aspect of lateral branches.25 degrees to main stems. [0038] Luster.Matte, due to the dense woolly pubescence. [0039] Strength.Moderately strong. [0040] Color, juvenile.Yellow-green, nearest RHS 144C. [0041] Color, mature.Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 151D. [0042] Color of oldest stems.Greyed-brown, nearest to RHS N 199A. [0043] Color at internodes.Yellow-green, nearest to in between RHS 145A and N 1458. [0044] Pubescence.Tomentose; average length of hairs is 0.03 cm and colored translucent white, nearest to RHS 155C. [0045] Foliage: [0046] Arrangement.Opposite. [0047] Attachment.Sessile. [0048] Division.Simple. [0049] Attitude.Upward; apex occasionally curled upward or downward. [0050] Quantity.Average of 8 leaves per lateral branch. [0051] Fragrance.Strongly aromatic, typical of Lavandula. [0052] Lamina.Dimensions 3.8 cm long and 0.7 cm wide, on average. Shape Oblanceolate to narrow oblanceolate. Aspect Slightly twisted; slightly to moderately revolute. Apex Acute. Base Cuneate. Margin Entire; moderately undulated. Apex Acute. Base Cuneate. Margin Entire; moderately undulated. Pubescence of adaxial surface Tomentose; average length of hairs is 0.02 cm and colored green-white, nearest to RHS 157D but lighter. Pubescence of abaxial surface Tomentose; average length of hairs is 0.02 cm and colored green-white, nearest to RHS 157D but lighter. Luster of adaxial surface Matte. Luster of abaxial surface Matte. Color Juvenile foliage, adaxial surface Green, nearest to RHS 1376. Juvenile foliage, abaxial surface Green, nearest to in between RHS 1376 to 137C. Mature foliage, adaxial surtace Green, nearest to RHS 1376. Mature foliage, abaxial surface Green, nearest to RHS 137C. Venation Pattern Pinnate. Venation color, adaxial surface Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 148B. Venation color, abaxial surface Green, nearest to RHS 138B. [0053] Inflorescence: [0054] Type.Terminal spike. [0055] Natural flowering season.Late spring through late summer in Victoria, Australia. [0056] Time to flower.Approximately 13 weeks. [0057] Dimensions.4.4 cm high, not including peduncle, and 1.6 cm in diameter; the sterile bracts at the apex of each inflorescence have an average spread of 3.2 cm. [0058] Abundance of inflorescence.Very abundant. [0059] Quantity of open flowers and buds per inflorescence.400. [0060] Quantity of open flowers per plant.Approximately 850. [0061] Quantity of buds per plants.Approximately 1,150. [0062] Attitude.Upright. [0063] Peduncles.Length Average of 4.0 cm. Diameter Average of 0.15 cm. Attitude Upright; 0 degrees to the lateral branches. Strength Strong. Texture Tomentose; average length of hairs is 0.03 cm and colored translucent white, nearest to RHS 155C. Luster Matte. Color Yellow-green, nearest to 150B. [0064] Flower buds: [0065] Shape.Elliptic. [0066] Length.Average of 0.5 cm. [0067] Diameter.Average of 0.175 cm. [0068] Texture.Tomentose; average length of hairs is 0.03 cm and colored white, nearest to RHS NN155D. [0069] Luster.Matte. [0070] Color.Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 144A, upper half of the bud is heavily suffused with greyed-purple, nearest to RHS N186A; apex where immature petals are exposed is violet-blue, nearest to RHS 92A. [0071] Flower: [0072] Flowering habit.Freely flowering. [0073] Form.Salverform; petals fused into one upper lip which is split into two identical petal lobes, and one lower lip which is split into three identical petal lobes. [0074] Flower vertical height.0.5 cm. [0075] Flower diameter.0.45 cm. [0076] Flower length.0.7 cm. [0077] Floral throat diameter.0.1 cm. [0078] Floral throat texture.Glabrous; smooth. [0079] Diameter of floral tube.0.1 cm. [0080] Length of floral tube.0.5 cm. [0081] Floral tube texture, outer and inner surfaces.Distal one-third portion is moderately covered with a very short pubescence with an average length of 0.3 cm and colored white, nearest to RHS NN155D; the proximal two-thirds portion is glabrous and smooth. [0082] Aspect.Flowers are outward facing. [0083] Fragrance.Non-fragrant. [0084] Lastingness.Approximately 4 weeks. [0085] Persistent.Self-cleaning. [0086] Pedicels.None; flowers are sessile. [0087] Petals.Quantity of Petals 2. Arrangement Labiate; one upper lip and one lower lip; proximal 72.5% of the petals are fused. Shape of petal lobes Upper and lower petal lobes are spatulate. Dimensions, upper petal lobes 0.6 cm long and 0.15 cm wide. Dimensions, free portion of the lower petal 0.6 cm long and 0.15 cm wide. Apex Both the upper and lower petal lobes are obtuse. Base Fused into a tube. Margin All petal lobs with entire margins which are moderately undulated. Aspect Slightly curled upward at the apex of the lobes. Texture and luster of upper surface Velvety; matte. Texture and luster of lower surface Moderately velvety; slightly glossy. Petal color when opening, upper surface Violet-blue, nearest to RHS N92A. Petal color when opening, lower surface Violet-blue, nearest to RHS N92A. Petal color when fully opened, upper surface Violet-blue, nearest to RHS N92A. Petal color when fully opened, lower surface Violet-blue, nearest to RHS N92A. Petal venation No venation is visible. Floral throat color Violet, nearest to in between RHS 83B and 83C. Floral throat venation color No venation is visible. Corolla tube color, when fully opened Violet, nearest to in between RHS 83B and 83C, and fading white towards the base, RHS N155D. Floral tube venation color No venation is visible. [0088] Calyx.Shape Campanulate. Length 0.6 cm. Diameter 0.2 cm. Sepals Length 0.6 cm. Width 0.075 cm. Arrangement Fused into a campanulate shape; proximal 83.5% is fused. Quantity 5. Shape Linear; fused into a campanulate shape. Apex Acute. Base Basally fused; only the distal 16.5 percent is free. Sepal lobe margin Entire; not undulated. Texture and luster, upper surface Glabrous, smooth; matte. Texture and luster, lower surface Tomentose; average length of hairs is 0.03 cm and colored white, nearest to RHS NN155D; matte. Color when opening, upper surface Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 145B, and striped darker, nearest to RHS 146B. Color when opening, lower surface Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 144A; distal half is heavily suffused with greyed-purple, nearest the RHS N186A. Color when fully opened, upper surface Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 145B, and striped green, nearest to in between RHS 143A and 143B. Color when fully opened, lower surface Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 145B, and striped green, nearest to in between RHS 143A and 143B. [0089] Bract.Quantity One fertile bract present at the base of each group of 5 individual flowers; 7 sterile bracts at the apex of each inflorescence. Fertile bract Shape Broad rhomboidal. Dimensions Average of 0.75 cm long and 0.65 cm wide. Apex Aristate. Base Cuneate. Margins Entire; not undulated. Texture and luster, upper surface Glabrous; matte. Texture and luster, lower surface Moderately tomentose; average length of hairs is 0.03 cm and colored white, nearest to RHS NN155D; matte. Color, upper surface Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 145D; apex is suffused with greyed-red, nearest to RHS 181D. Color, lower surface Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 145D; upper half is suffused with greyed-purple, nearest to RHS 185D. Venation color, upper surface Green, nearest to in between RHS 137B and 137C. Venation color, lower surface Green, nearest to RHS 143A. Sterile bracts Shape Obovate to narrow obovate. Dimensions Average of 2.4 cm long and 1.2 cm wide. Apex Obtuse. Base Narrow cuneate. Margins Entire; strongly undulated. Texture and luster, upper surface Slightly to moderately tomentose; average length of hairs is 0.02 cm and colored white, nearest to RHS NN155D; matte. Texture and luster, lower surface Slightly to moderately tomentose; average length of hairs is 0.02 cm and colored white, nearest to RHS NN155D; matte. Color, upper surface Purple-violet, nearest to in between RHS N82A and N82B. Color, lower surface Purple-violet, nearest to in between RHS N82A and N82B. Venation color, upper surface Main vein is purple, nearest to in between RHS N77C and N77D. Venation color, lower surface Main vein is purple, nearest to RHS N77B. [0090] Reproductive organs: [0091] Stamens.Quantity 4. Anthers Attachment Dorsifixed. Shape Short kidney-shaped. Dimensions Approximately 0.075 cm long and 0.075 cm wide. Color Greyed-purple, nearest to RHS N187A. Filaments Length 0.1 cm, on average. Color Violet, nearest to RHS 83A. Pollen, amount Moderately abundant. Pollen color Yellow-orange, nearest to RHS 15A. [0092] Pistil.Quantity 1. Length 0.4 cm. Style Length 0.35 cm. Color Greyed-white, nearest to RHS 156D. Stigma Shape Club-shaped. Length 0.05 cm. Diameter 0.05 cm. Color Greyed-purple, nearest to RHS N187A. Ovary Color Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 146A. [0093] Seed and fruit: No fruit or seeds have been detected to date. [0094] Comparisons with the parent plants and most similar commercial variety:

[0095] Plants of the new cultivar IBPRU41016 differ from its seed parent, which is also the most similar commercial variety, Lavandula Blueberry Ruffles (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,305), by the characteristics described in Chart 1.

TABLE-US-00001 CHART 1 Characteristic IBPRU41016 Blueberry Ruffles Plant height. Shorter than Blueberry Slightly taller than Ruffles. IBPRU41016. Peduncle length. Shorter than Blueberry Longer than IBPRU41016. Ruffles. General coloration of Medium to dark purple. Light mauve purple. sterile bracts.

[0096] Plants of the new cultivar IBPRU41016 differ from its pollen parent, Lavandula Violet Lace (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,254), by the characteristics described in Chart 2.

TABLE-US-00002 CHART 2 Characteristic IBPRU41016 Violet Lace Growth habit. More compact than Violet Less compact than Lace. IBPRU41016. Plant height. Shorter than Violet Lace. Taller than IBPRU41016. Peduncle length. Shorter than Violet Lace. Longer than IBPRU41016.