Lepidium plant named ‘Dlepvergi’

Abstract

A new and distinct Lepidium virginicum plant named DLEPVERGI characterized by abundant production of primary lateral branches, resulting in an above average quantity of harvestable cut flower stems. The harvested cut flower stems are well suited for commercial use as bouquet and flower arrangement filler. Flowering stems are harvested somewhat later than known commercial varieties. Plants have commercial use for cut flower production.

Claims

1. A Lepidium plant named DLEPVERGI, representative seed deposited at the National Collection of Industrial Food and Marine Bacteria(NCIMB), Aberdeen, Scotland, having Accession Number 42892.

2. A Lepidium seed that produces the plant of claim 1.

3. A plant part obtained from the Lepidium plant of claim 1.

4. A method for producing a Lepidium progeny hybrid plant comprising the steps of (a) crossing Lepidium DLEPVERGI, produced from representative seed deposited with the National Collection of Industrial Food and Marine Bacteria (NCIMB), Aberdeen, Scotland, having Accession Number 42892 as a female or male parent with another Lepidium plant, and (b) selecting progeny.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

(1) The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent or patent application publication with color drawings will be provided by the Office upon request and payment of the necessary fees.

(2) The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Lepidium viginicum DLEPVERGI showing the colors as true as is reasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describes the color of DLEPVERGI.

(3) FIG. 1 shows a side view perspective of a typical flowering stem of DLEPVERGI, at approximately 1 day after harvest.

(4) FIG. 2 shows a side view perspective of a typical flowering stem of DLEPVERGI, at approximately 7 days after harvest.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

(5) The present invention was created by the inventor, Gavriel Danziger during 2014, and flowered for the first time in 2014 in Mishmar Hashiva, Israel.

(6) This invention is directed to Lepidium plant having all the morphological and physiological characteristics of the variety DLEPVERGI produced from seeds which are the product of the self-cross of the Lepidium viginicum inbred line identified by code LEV-14-16 (unpatented). The parent has a sufficient degree of homozygosity such that the progeny of the cross were, and continue to be, phenotypically uniform. The new variety DLEPVERGI can therefore be produced by sexual reproduction by crossing of the inbred selection identified by the code LEV-14-16 to produce a population of progeny plants, each of which has the combination of characteristics herein disclosed for the new variety DLEPVERGI.

(7) The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of DLEPVERGI which in combination distinguish this Lepidium as a new and distinct cultivar: 1. Production of a high quantity of primary lateral branches. 2. Late season flowering.

(8) The commercial cultivar known to the present inventor to be the most similar in comparison to the new Lepidium viginicum DLEPVERGI is the Lepidium cultivar Ofarim, unpatented. Plants of the new variety DLEPVERGI differ from plants of DLEPVERGI primarily in quantity of primary lateral branches produced. Plants of the new variety produce significantly more primary lateral branches than plants of Ofarim. Foliage of the new variety is smaller and lighter green than foliage of Ofarim. Plants of DLEPVERGI flower later compared to plants of Ofarim as well.

(9) DLEPVERGI has not been tested and observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, frequency of fertilization, composition of fertilizer, acetylene treatment, day length and humidity, without any change in the genotype of the plant.

(10) For example, substantial differences in plant height and diameter, number of leaves, and branches can result depending on the growing conditions. Typically, these plants are produced outdoors, and variations in temperature and humidity can produce different results.

(11) The aforementioned photographs, together with the following observations, measurements and values describe the new Lepidium DLEPVERGI as grown in a greenhouse in Mishmar Hashiva, Israel, during Summer, under conditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice. Plants of DLEPVERGI were grown with day temperatures ranging from about 30 C. to 35 C. and night temperatures ranging from about 20 C. to 25 C. Daylength was approximately 14 hours. A shade net of 50% was used, soil was a tuff media. No artificial lighting or photoperiodic treatments were conducted.

(12) Color references are made to the Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (RHS), 2005 mini edition, except where general colors of ordinary significance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditions in a greenhouse Mishmar Hashiva, Israel . The age of the plants of DLEPVERGI described is about 40 days from planting a seedling plant. The seedling plant is approximately 5 weeks old.

(13) Botanical Classification: Lepidium viginicum

(14) Parentage: Parent: Lepidium viginicum inbred line identified by code LEV-14-16 (unpatented)

(15) Plant:

(16) Growth Habit: Upright

(17) Height: Approximately 60 cm during Summer, approximately 85 cm in Spring.

(18) Plant Spread: Approximately 35 cm.

(19) Growth Rate: Approximately 6 weeks during Summer to achieve mature flowering stage, approximately 10 weeks during Spring.

(20) Branching Characteristics: Pseudomonopodial.

(21) Length of Primary Lateral Branches: 25 cm in Summer, 55 cm in Spring.

(22) Diameter of Lateral Branches: 1.5 to 2 mm.

(23) Quantity of Primary Lateral Branches: Ranges between to 6-8 per plant.

(24) Characteristics of Primary Lateral Branches:

(25) Color: Near RHS Green 138B Texture: Glabrous Strength: Strong, firm.
Internode length: Varies along the stem. In the summerapproximately 2.5 cm for the lower part of the stem, and approximately 2 cm for the upper part of the stem. In the Springapproximately 4 cm for the lower part of the stem, and approximately 2 cm for the upper part of the stem.

(26) Foliage:

(27) Leaf: Most foliage is basal. Cauline leaves occur as well.

(28) The data refers to the basal leaves

(29) Arrangement: Rosette Quantity: Approximately 13 per plant in Summer. Approximately 30 per plant in Spring. Average Length: 11 cm. Average Width: 2.25 cm. Shape of blade: Lyrate Apex: Obtuse Base: Attenuate Margin: Lobed, entire. Texture of top surface: Scabrous Texture of bottom surface: Scabrous Appearance: top surface: Matte Appearance bottom surface: Matte Aspect: Concave Color: Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Green N137B Young foliage under side: Near RHS Green 137A Mature foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 138B Mature foliage under side: Near RHS Green 137C Venation: Type: Arcuate Venation color upper side: Near RHS Green 137B Venation color under side: Near RHS Green 137C Petiole: Length: Approximately 7 cm for mature foliage Diameter: Approximately 0.15 cm. for mature foliage Color: Near RHS Yellow-Green 147B Texture: Scabrous

(30) Inflorescence:

(31) Natural flowering season: Spring (February to May in Israel)

(32) Days to flowering from a plantlet: Starting from seeds, approximately 5 weeks from planting during Summer, in Spring approximately 10 weeks.

(33) Inflorescence and flower type and habit: The inflorescence type is a raceme and the flower type is single, the habit is upright.

(34) Rate of flower opening: 0.5 to 2 days from bud to fully opened flower.

(35) Flower Longevity on Plant: 0.5 to 3 days.

(36) Persistent or Self-Cleaning: Self-Cleaning.

(37) Vase life: Approximately 6 days.

(38) Bud:

(39) Shape: Globose Length: Average 0.15 cm Diameter: Average 0.15 cm Color: Near RHS Yellow-Green 145A
Flower size: Diameter: Approx 1 mm in Summer, in Spring approx 3.5 mm. Length: Approx. 1 mm in Summer, in Spring approx 3 mm.
Corolla/Petals: Arrangement: Cruciform Length: 1.5 to 2 mm Width: 1-1.2 mm Quantity: 4 Texture: Smooth Apex: Obtuse Base: Cuneate Shape: Oval Margin: Entire Aspect: Concave Color: When opening: Upper surface: Near RHS White 155C Lower surface: Near RHS White 155C Fully opened: Upper surface: Near RHS White 155C Lower surface: Near RHS White 155C Aging: Upper surface: Near RHS White 155C Lower surface: Near RHS White 155C
Calyx/Sepals: Quantity per flower: 4 Shape: Orbicular Length: 0.5-0.7 mm Width: 0.4-0.6 mm Apex: Obtuse Base: Cuneate Margin: Entire Texture: Smooth Color: Upper Surface: Near RHS Yellow-Green 146B Lower Surface: Near RHS Yellow-Green 146B
Peduncle: Length: Average range 3 to 18 cm. Diameter: Approximately 1 mm. Color: Near RHS Green 137C Orientation: Upright Texture: Smooth
Pedicel: Length: Approximately 3 to 5 mm Diameter: Approximately 0.5 mm Color: Near RHS Green 137B Orientation: Horizontal Texture: Smooth
Fragrance: Not fragrant

(40) Reproductive Organs:

(41) Stamens:

(42) Number: 2 Filament length: Approximately 1 mm.
Anthers: Shape: Orbicular Length: Approximately 0.1-0.2 mm. Color: Near RHS Yellow-White 151C
Pistil: Style: Number: 1 Length: Approximately 1 mm. Color: Near RHS Green 143B Stigma: Shape: Two lobed Color: Near RHS White 155A Ovary Color: Near RHS Green 143B
Temperature tolerance: Tolerates a range from approximately 8 C. to 40 C.

(43) Seeds/Fruit:

(44) Fruits

(45) Shape: Heart-shaped.

(46) Length: Approximately 2 to 3 mm.

(47) Width: Approximately 2.2 to 3 mm

(48) Texture: Smooth

(49) Seeds

(50) Shape: Napiform

(51) Length: 2 mm

(52) Width: 1 mm.

(53) Disease/Pest Resistance and Susceptibility: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to normal diseases and pests of Lepidium observed.