Coast redwood tree with periclinal chimeric albinism named ‘Grand Mosaic’

Abstract

Grand Mosaic is a new and distinct variety of albino coast redwood tree characterized by a non-grafted periclinal chimera exhibiting stable albino growth from inside the apical meristem dome. The new variety contains latent axillary and/or accessory buds forming within the internode of primary branches exhibiting phenotypic color expressions ranging from green, albino, chimera or non-chimeric variegation. Latent axillary and/or accessory buds frequently form in the branch collar zone of primary branches and can produce color expressions ranging from green, albino, chimera or non-chimeric variegation. Further, the branches demonstrate horizontal to drooping-like habit and moderate-to-fast growth depending on the amount of albinism compared to other common green redwoods.

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of albino chimeric redwood tree, as illustrated and described herein.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

(1) The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new and distinct albino redwood tree with periclinal chimerism showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of conventional photography. The photographs were taken in a greenhouse setting under defused, natural lighting. Two typical specimens (Stem Cutting Numbers 1 and 2) of the present invention are included to demonstrate color variation on the leaves and stems produced by the chimeric and non-chimeric genotypes.

(2) FIG. 1 (taken Oct. 20, 2014 of Stem Cutting Number 1 at 40 months-old) demonstrates approximately 5% variegation. This illustrates the latency of the chimeric albino growth characteristic of Grand Mosaic in the first few years of growth. Its typical with this new variety to have a majority of the green genotype emerge first in primary growth.

(3) FIG. 2 (taken May 13, 2015 of Stem Cutting Number 1 at 47 months-old) demonstrates a marked increase of chimeric albino growth. At this stage of growth, the invention exhibits approximately 30% chimeric albino foliage. One of the distinguishing characteristics of the invention's is seen in its apical dominance. This photograph also demonstrates the invention's horizontal to drooping-like growth habit.

(4) FIG. 3 (taken May 26, 2015 of Stem Cutting Number 1 at 47 months-old) is a close-up image demonstrating the periclinal chimeric albinism originating from the apical meristem dome and displaying axillary and/or accessory buds forming within the internode of established green branches. These buds form in empty leaf axils along the main stem between the internode of established primary green branches of the invention. There are also axillary and/or accessory buds exhibiting periclinal chimeric albinism in and around the branch collar zones of primary and secondary branches exhibiting green and white variegation.

(5) FIG. 3a (taken May 26, 2015 of Stem Cutting Number 1 at 47 months-old) is similar to FIG. 3 except that Zones A are labeled with the number 1 to demonstrate the arrangement of the primary and secondary branches of all zones.

(6) FIG. 3b (taken May 26, 2015 of Stem Cutting Number 1 at 47 months-old) is similar to FIG. 3 except that Zones B are labeled with the number 2 to demonstrate the arrangement of the primary and secondary branches of all zones.

(7) FIG. 3c (taken May 26, 2015 of Stem Cutting Number 1 at 47 months-old) is similar to FIG. 3 except that Zones C are labeled with the number 3 to demonstrate the arrangement of the primary and secondary branches of all zones.

(8) FIG. 4 (taken Apr. 15, 2015 of Stem Cutting Number 1 at 46 months-old) demonstrates chimeric albino expression on secondary branches arising from an internode's B Zone.

(9) FIG. 5 (taken Oct. 17, 2015 of Stem Cutting Number 2 at 52 months-old) demonstrates chimeric albino expression on secondary branches arising from the branch collar's C Zone.

(10) FIG. 6 (taken May 15, 2015 of Stem Cutting Number 1 at 47 months-old) demonstrates a three-month-old branch exhibiting periclinal chimeric albinism originating from new lateral buds. Note the absence of chimeric axillary or accessory bud growth at this stage.

(11) FIG. 7 (taken Jan. 11, 2015 of Stem Cutting Number 1 at 43 months-old) demonstrates the broad needles and light green coloration.

(12) FIG. 8 (taken Jan. 11, 2015 of Stem Cutting Number 1 at 43 months-old) shown with direct view of the branchlet, exhibits a large horizontal needle pattern.

(13) FIG. 9 (taken Jan. 11, 2015 of sibling Mosaic Delight), presented as a comparison variety, demonstrates an open needle arrangement on the branchlets. Needles exhibit a more narrow and wiry appearance compared to the present invention.

(14) FIG. 10 (taken Jan. 11, 2015 of sibling Mosaic Delight), presented as a comparison variety, demonstrates the upturned V needle pattern seen on a direct view of the branchlet.

(15) FIG. 11 (taken Jan. 11, 2015 of sibling Early Snow (U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/530,139; hereinafter Early Snow)), presented as a comparison variety, exhibits sub-branchlets that taper to a point on primary branches. Needles on this variety tend to overlap on the branchlet leaving fewer gaps between needles compared to siblings Mosaic Delight and the present invention.

(16) FIG. 12 (taken Jan. 11, 2015 of sibling Early Snow), presented as a comparison variety, is shown with a direct view of the branchlet exhibiting a concave down needle pattern.

(17) FIG. 13 (taken in taken in 2014), presented as a comparison variety, is of a redwood with chimeric albinism bred by the first named inventor. This variety named Christmas Tree exhibits predominantly white coloration on primary branches while the secondary branches are expressed mostly in the normal green genotype.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

(18) The following is a detailed botanical description of the new variety Grand Mosaic. Data was collected from Stem Cutting Number 1 at 52 months-old in the Fall of 2015; presently growing in a greenhouse in Volcano, Calif. The growing conditions approximate those generally used in commercial practice. Color readings were observed indoors with natural lighting diffused through greenhouse panes. The color determinations are in accordance with the Fifth Edition (2007) of The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart published by The Royal Horticultural Society (London, England), except where general color terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. Chimeric and non-chimeric expression among the propagated trees leads to a variation in color and, therefore, a color's hue, saturation, or intensity is generally depicted in The R.H.S. colour charts through the follow color groups and ranges: RHS 4C-D, 8D (yellow group), 128A-149D (green group), and 155A-D, NN155-159D, 157A-158D, 189A-196D (grey group). The below listed color ranges, while not observed at the time of recording the characteristics, are included to provide potential color variations due to variable growing conditions, including but not limited to: weathering and moisture exposure. Variegated color descriptions include both chimeric and non-chimeric expression.

VARIETY DESCRIPTION

(19) Classification: Family.Cupressaceae. Botanical.Sequoia sempervirens. Common.Coast Redwood tree. Parentage: Parent one.Unnamed Albino Sequoia sempervirens (neither patented, nor commercially available). Parent two.Unconfirmed variety of Green Sequoia sempervirens (however, it is most likely that Parent Two is neither patented, nor commercially available). Propagation: Vegetative via leaf and stem cuttings. Plant: Ploidy.Hexaploid. Height, unpruned (m).209.4 cm (measured at 48 months); potential mature height of 18 to 40 m. Vigor.Strong. Shape.Pyramidal. Growth rate.Moderate-to-fast depending on albinism present. Growth habit.Horizontal to pendulous. Canopy width (m).168.3 cm. Canopy height (m).209.4 cm. Crown shape.Pyramidal. Trunk and branchlets: Trunk texture.Smooth as cuttings, emerging to fibrous at approximately four years. Trunk diameter (cm).2.0 cm taken at 2.0 cm above the ground. Bark color (of a 2 to 3-year-old tree).RHS 165A and 200D; with a range of 164A-N167D, 173A-178D, and 200A-D. Branchlet length (m).97.2 cm measured from stem. Branchlet diameter, average (mm).5.0 mm. Branchlet texture.Smooth and waxy. Branchlet color.Variation due to chimeric expression, including: green, white, chimeric, or non-chimeric variegated. New growth, green branchlet: RHS 144A and C (green group), with a range of 138A-139D, and 143A-D (green group). Old growth, green branchlet: RHS 137B, (green group), with a range of RHS 137A-N137D (green group). New growth, albino branchlet: RHS 4D and 8D, (yellow group) with a range of 4C and 8C (yellow group), and a range of 158C-D (grey group). Old growth albino branchlet: RHS 4D and 8D, (yellow group), with a range of 4C and 8C (yellow group), and a range of 158C-D (grey group). Variegated branchlet: Ranging from RHS 4D and 8D (yellow group) to RHS 128A-149D (green group) to RHS 155A-D, NN155-159D, 157A-158D, and 189A-196D (grey group). Branchlet arrangement.Alternate. Crotch angle from main trunk.Green branches: Horizontal range from 30 to 0 and dropping range from 360 to 300. Albino, chimeric, or non-chimeric variegated branches: Approximately 315 to 40. Meristematic bud.a. Shape: Scaly. b. Color: Apical meristem: Chimeric. Lateral buds, axillary and/or accessory buds forming in and around the branch collar zone exhibiting phenotypic color expressions ranging from green, albino, chimera or non-chimeric variegation. Green bud: RHS 144A, with a range of RHS 138A-139D, 143A-D, and 144A-C (green group). White bud: RHS 4D and 8D (yellow group), with a range of RHS 4C and 8C (yellow group), and 158C-D (grey group). Variegated bud: Range of RHS 4C-D to 8D (yellow group) and a range of RHS 128A-149D (green group) and a range of 155A-D, NN155-159D, 157A-158D, and 189A-196D (grey group). c. Bud-union characteristics: Axillary. Burl: None observed. Scion: Circumference (leaf cuttings).3.5 cm. Height at which measurement taken.17.8 cm at time of planting and 248.9 cm for stem cuttings. Suckering.None observed. Leaves: Arrangement.Flat needles in alternating patterns. Texture.Glabrous (smooth). Type.Simple. Shape.Needle-like. Needle tip shape: Acute or acuminate. Cross section.Concave 1.0 mm. Leaf needle length (mm).1.0 to 3.5 cm. Leaf needle width (mm).0.5 to 1.0 cm. Surface.a. Upper surface texture: Glabrous (smooth, waxy). b. Surface color (upper and lower): Green, white, chimeric, or non-chimeric variegated-specifically: New growth, green needle (upper surface): RHS 144A and C (green group), with a range of 138A-139D and 143A-D (green group). New growth, green needle (lower surface): RHS 143C (green group), with a range of 138A-139-D, 143A-D (green group), and range of 191A-B (grey group). Old growth, green needle (upper surface): RHS N137B (green group), with a range of 137A-N137D (green group). Old growth, green needle (lower surface): RHS 191A (grey group), with a range of 138A-139D (green group) and range of 191A-C (grey group). New growth, albino needle (upper surface): RHS 4D and 8D (yellow group), with a range of 4C and 8C (yellow group), and range of 158C-D (grey group). New growth, albino needle (lower surface): RHS 4D and 8D (yellow group), with a range of 4C and 8C (yellow group), and range of 158C-D (grey group). Old growth, albino needle (upper surface): RHS 4D and 8D (yellow group), with a range of 4C and 8C (yellow group), and range of 158C-D (grey group). Old growth, albino needle (lower surface): RHS 4D and 8D (yellow group), with a range of 4C and 8C (yellow group) and range of 158C-D (grey group). Variegated needles in all locations: RHS 4C-D and 8D (yellow group), RHS 128A-149D (green group), and RHS 155A-D, NN155-159D, 157A-158D, and 189A-196D (grey group). c. Stomata band(s) on lower needle: Present, 2 bands. Petiole.a. Shape: Oval and scale-like. b. Color: Green, white, chimeric, or non-chimeric variegated, specifically: New growth, green petiole: RHS 144 A and C (green group), with a range of 138A-139D, and143A-D (green group). Old growth, green petiole: RHS 137B (green group) with a range of 137A-N137D (green group). New growth, albino petiole: RHS 4D and 8D (yellow group), with a range of 4C and 8C (yellow group), and range of 158C-D (grey group). Old growth, albino petiole: RHS 4D and 8D (yellow group), with a range of 4C and 8C (yellow group), and range of 158C-D (grey group). Variegated petiole: A range between RHS 4C-D and 8D (yellow group) and RHS 128-149 (green group) and a range of 155A-D, NN155-159D, 157A-158D, and 189A-196D (grey group). c. Thorns (spines): Absent. d. Length (average): 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm (leaf lamina narrows down proximally). Cones: None observed. Flowers: None observed. Reproductive organs: None observed. Best mode growing conditions: Soil conditions.Deep, well-drained loam and clay-loam soil. Water use/drought tolerance.Require regular watering when young; however, once established, trees are mildly drought tolerant with optimal growing conditions including an annual rainfall exceeding 102 cm per year. Temperature.Best grown in cool climates ranging from 50 F. to 80 F. with frost-free winters. Fertilization.a. Propagation: Potting soil with slow release fertilizer. Maintenance.Slow release fertilizer. Resistance to disease: Low susceptibility to disease due to tannin content; however, may be subject to Botryosphaeria sp. canker if under stress conditions (for example, drought).

COMPARISON TO SIMILAR VARIETIES

(20) Parent One is a non-chimeric variegated albino Sequoia sempervirens demonstrating ninety-five percent albinism with approximately five percent non-chimeric variegation on the new growth and a hedge-bush-like growth habit. Unlike Parent One, Grand Mosaic displays both chimeric and non-chimeric variegated growth. Specifically, Grand Mosaic demonstrates stable green and chimeric albino growth from inside the apical meristem with albino to mosaic variegation displayed on terminal, lateral, adventitious, axillary, and accessory buds. These buds form between the internode of established green branches, inside present or empty branch axils and within the branch collar zone. Grand Mosaic also demonstrates horizontal to weeping-like chimeric branches that are either green, albino, or chimeric (periclinal, mericlinal, or sectorial).

(21) The exact parentage of Parent Two is unconfirmed; however, during the 1976 cross, Parent One was crossed with several nearby standard green Sequoia sempervirens exhibiting characters typical of redwoods grown locally in Santa Cruz, Calif. Unfortunately, precise records of the crosses do not elucidate which of the potential green Sequoia sempervirens is the female parent of this invention. Typical of the trees in this location, Parent Two is an old growth, and slow-growing tree without any variegation or chimeric albino growth. In contrast, Grand Mosaic grows at a moderate-to-fast rate, and displays a range of coloration through the chimeric and non-chimeric variegated growth.

(22) The commercially available Sequoia sempervirens named Aptos blue (unpatented) demonstrates blue-green foliage and an upright habit with small weeping side branches; whereas, Grand Mosaic foliage ranges in color from green, albino, chimeric, and non-chimeric variegated, and has horizontal to drooping branches.

(23) Christmas Tree (unpatented) (see FIG. 13) is a periclinal chimeric redwood tree bred under the direction of the first named inventor. The tree is neither patented nor commercially available. The albinism in this variety is expressed differently than Grand Mosaic in that Christmas Tree is predominantly white on primary branches while the secondary branches are expressed mostly in the normal green genotype. Also, the meristematic cells of Christmas Tree exhibit mostly a white over green arrangement whereas Grand Mosaic cell layers exhibit predominantly a green over white arrangement in the meristem.

(24) Sibling variety Early Snow (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 29,217) exhibits similar chimeric albino expressions to Grand Mosaic with notable differences. Axillary and accessory buds forming in the B zone (between primary branches) on Grand Mosaic predominately form from empty leaf axil where with Early Snow a needle is usually present. Also, Grand Mosaic exhibits strong apical dominance and long needles; whereas Early Snow exhibits weak apical dominance and short to medium length needles.

(25) Sibling variety Mosaic Delight exhibits similar chimeric albino expressions to Grand Mosaic with notable differences. Needles on Grand Mosaic are lighter green and broader in appearance compared to Mosaic Delight, which has narrow and darker green coloration. Grand Mosaic exhibits a 2 to 4-year delay in chimeric albino expression as compared to Mosaic Delight, where chimeric albinism appearance is delayed by approximately one year. Grand Mosaic exhibits higher chimeric albino growth within the internode region of established green branches than in Mosaic Delight, which primarily expresses chimeric albino growth from the branch collar zone of established branches. Grand Mosaic exhibits stronger apical dominance compared to Mosaic Delight which is mostly apically weak in stature.

(26) Table 2 further distinguishes between the invention and its siblings. One clone from each of the siblings propagated in 2012 was measured for total height. Then all B Zone and C Zone secondary branches were counted on each siblings' main axis. After the count, a ratio of B to C Zone was established to determine the percentages of each. Since each invention's height varies, the total of each B and C Zones was divided into the height of the tree to determine the average height (centimeters) for B and C Zone branches respectively. The data tabulated below illustrates the different growing patterns discovered within B and C Zone secondary branches and was collected the Spring of 2015.

(27) TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 COMPARISON OF SECONDARY BRANCHES PATTERNS AMONG SIBLINGS Secondary Date Percent- B & C per develop- Jun. 2, Height Number age cm on ment after 2015 (cm) Age B & C B & C main axis primary Mosaic 159.4 4 B = 10 B = B = 15.9 cm 1-2 years Delight years C = 35 22% C = 4.6 cm (invention C = sibling) 78% Grand 221.6 4 B = 27 B = B = 8.2 cm 2-4 years Mosaic years C = 14 66% C = 15.8 cm C = 34% Early 97.2 2 B = 20 B = B = 4.9 cm 1-2 years Snow years C = 19 51% C = 5.1 cm C = 49%

(28) Table 3 presents a side by side comparison of the sibling varieties from the original cross experiments conducted in 1976. The siblings were grown in the same environmental conditions and exhibit the following similarities and differences.

(29) TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 COMPREHENSIVE GROWTH PATTERNS COMPARISON AMONG SIBLINGS Mosaic Delight Grand Mosaic Early Snow Sibling (U.S. Sibling (U.S. Plant Plant Pat. (present Pat. No. Characteristic No. 26,573) application) 29,217) Growth rate Weak Strong Strong Apical Weak Strong Weak dominance Albino 1-year delay 2 to 4-year delay 1 year delay expression Albino growth Lower Higher Higher in internode Majority of Leaf axils Accessory buds Leaf axils B zone buds and empty found leaf axils Needle angle V shaped Horizontal Concave down Needle density Open Dense Dense & overlapping Needle length Medium Long Short to medium Needle shape: Linear with Linear with Linear with Linear Acuminate tips Acuminate tips Obtuse, mucronate and acuminate tips Needle color Dark green Light Green Dark green Branchlet Narrow towards Wide towards Tapers towards shape blunt end a blunt end a blunt end