<i>Cliftonia </i>plant named ‘BLCM03’

Abstract

A new and distinctive Cliftonia monophylla plant, characterized by its unique pink flowers. Plants are globular and compact, reaching a mature height around 3 to 4 feet. Flowers are highly aromatic and attract a variety of pollinators. The new plant is a Cliftonia, typically useful as a landscape plant.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Cliftonia monophyla plant named ‘BLCM03’, substantially as described and illustrated herein.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

(1) The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates a typical plant of ‘BLCM03’ growing in a 3-gallon pot. The plant was grown outdoors in Loxley, Ala.

(2) FIG. 2 illustrates in full color a close up of typical inflorescences of the new variety.

(3) The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

(4) In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 2007 except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘BLCM03’ plants grown outdoors in Loxley, Ala. Plants are approximately 2 years old, in a 3 gallon nursery container. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types. Botanical classification: Cliftonia monophylla ‘BLCM03’.

PROPAGATION

(5) Propagation method: Typically by stem cuttings in Summer. Root description: Fine, fibrous young roots, well branched. Colored near RHS Grey-Brown 199A.

PLANT

(6) Growth habit: Compact, globular shrub. Height: Approximately 35 cm. Plant spread: Approximately 45 cm. Branching characteristics: 4 main basal branches, each splitting into 4 main lateral branches. Primary branches: Length of primary branches: Average 8 to 15 cm. Diameter of primary branches: Average range 4 to 7 mm. Primary branch strength: Very strong, difficult to break. Primary branch color: Mature branches near Grey 201A. Immature branches near Greyed-Purple 183A. Primary branch texture: Immature growth glabrous. Older growth scaly. Lateral branches: Length of lateral branches: Average range 5 to 10 cm. Diameter of lateral branches: Average 3 mm. Lateral branch strength: Strong. Lateral branch color: Mature branches near Grey 201A. Immature branches near Greyed-Purple 183A. Lateral branch texture: Immature growth glabrous. Older growth scaly. Internode length: Average 2.0 cm to 3.5 cm. Age of plant described: Approximately 2 years.

FOLIAGE

(7) Leaf: Type.—Simple. Arrangement.—Whorled towards branches ends, foliage on lower portion of branches sub-opposite. Average length.—Approximately 3.0 cm. Average width.—Approximately 10 mm. Shape of blade.—Elliptic. Apex.—Acute. Base.—Attenuate. Attachment.—Sessile. Margin.—Entire. Texture of top surface.—Glabrous. Texture of bottom surface.—Glabrous. Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 137B. Young foliage under side: Near RHS Green 137B. Mature foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 139A. Mature foliage under side: Near RHS Green 138A. Venation.—Type: Pinnate. Venation color upper side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 144B. Venation color under side: Near RHS Green 138B.

FLOWER

(8) Bloom period: Early Spring until late Spring, early Summer. Inflorescence: Elongated, slightly weeping raceme. Raceme: Length.—Average 5 to 8 cm. Excluding peduncle. Diameter.—Average 2.0 cm. Raceme peduncle: Length.—Average 1.5 cm. Diameter.—2 to 3 mm. Color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green N144D. Texture.—Glabrous. Aspect.—Slightly arched. Raceme pedicel: Length.—Average 5 mm. Diameter.—1 to 2 mm. Color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 145D. Texture.—Glabrous. Aspect.—Straight. Angle of attachment approximately 45° angle from peduncle. Flowers: Quantity.—Average 15 to 20 per raceme. Length.—Average 5 mm. Diameter.—Average 5 to 6 mm. Facing direction.—Outwardly facing. Fragrance.—None detected. Petals: Petal number.—6. Arrangement.—Radial, slightly overlapping. Length.—Approximately 3 to 4 mm. Aspect.—Moderately upwardly cupped. Width.—Approximately 3 mm. Apex.—Acute. Base.—Broad attenuate. Shape.—Broad elliptic to obovate. Petal margin.—Entire. Petal texture.—Smooth, all surfaces. Color.—Upper surface at first opening: Near RHS Greyed-Red 178C, large basal section near Red 49C. Under surface at first opening: Near RHS Greyed-Red 178C, large basal section near Red 49C. Upper surface at maturity: Near RHS Red-Purple 65D. Under surface at maturity: Near RHS Red 56A. Upper surface at fading: Near RHS Red-Purple 65D. Under surface at fading: Near RHS Red-Purple 65D. Bud: Shape.—Globular. Length.—2 mm. Diameter.—2 mm. Color.—Near RHS Orange-Red N34C. Calyx/sepals: Not present.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

(9) Stamens: Number.—Approximately 9. Length.—3 to 4 mm. Width.—1 mm. Color.—Near RHS Red 49D. Anthers: Length.—Approximately 1 mm. Color.—Near RHS Greyed-Red 182A. Pollen.—Scant, colored near RHS Red 37C. Pistil: Number.—1. Length.—3 to 4 mm. Style.—Highly reduced, less than 1 mm. Stigma.—3 lobed, colored near Yellow-Green 144B, about 2 mm to 3 mm long. Ovary.—Round approximately 1 mm in diameter. Colored near RHS Yellow-Green 144C.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

(10) Disease and pest resistance: Not observed to be susceptible nor resistant to normal diseases and pests of Cliftonia. Temperature tolerance: USDA Zones 7-10. Drought tolerance: No tolerance for drought observed. Fruit/seed production: Not observed to date.