Coast redwood tree with periclinal chimeric albinism named ‘Early Snow’

Abstract

Early Snow 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 and with terminal buds exhibiting phenotypic color expressions of green, albino, chimera or non-chimeric variegation with varying hues within these color expressions. The new variety also has dark green short to medium length needles, branches exhibiting horizontal to drooping-like habit and with the shape of branchlets tapering towards a blunt end, and moderate-to-fast growth depending on the amount of albinism. Further, the latent, axillary and/or accessory buds forming between the internode of primary branches, branch axils, leaf axils, and within the branch collar zone, express a higher amount of albinism within the internode. Frequently, axillary and/or accessory buds form in the absence of an existing branch, whether it's primary or secondary in nature.

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 4) 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 Jan. 20, 2015 of Stem Cutting Number 1 at 31 months-old) is an overview of the tree exhbiting approximately 10% variegation towards the bottom of the plant. This illustrates the 1-year delay of the chimeric albino growth seen in this variety. Its typical with Early Snow to have a majority of the green genotype emerge first in primary growth.

(3) FIG. 2 (taken Jan. 20, 2015 of Stem Cutting Number 1 at 19 months-old) demonstrates the different areas of the plant where periclinal chimeric albinism is developting. Chlorophyll-deficient secondary, acessory, and axillary buds can be seen growing in the branch collar of primary branches with axillary buds forming in leaf axils on the stem.

(4) FIG. 3 (taken Oct. 6, 2014 of Stem Cutting Number 1 at 16 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 present 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 Oct. 6, 2014 of Stem Cutting Number 1 at 16 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 Oct. 6, 2014 of Stem Cutting Number 1 at 16 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 Oct. 6, 2014 of Stem Cutting Number 1 at 16 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 Oct. 17, 2015 of Stem Cutting Number 4 at 28 months-old) demonstrates a high proportion of chimeric albino expression found developing within needle axils between the internode of primary green branches. These type of buds are listed within the B Zone.

(9) FIG. 5 (taken Jan. 20, 2015 of Stem Cutting Number 4 at 19 months-old) demonstrates chimeric albino expression on secondary branches arising from the branch collar's C Zone. Also exhibited are linear needles with obtuse, mucronate and acuminate tips commonly seen on this variety.

(10) FIG. 6 (taken Jan. 11, 2015 of stem Cutting Number 1 at 19 months-old), 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 compaired to sibings Mosaic Delight and Grand Mosaic (co-pending application, hereinafter Grand Mosaic).

(11) FIG. 7 (taken Jan. 11, 2015 of stem Cutting Number 1), shown with a direct view of the branchlet, exhibits a concave down needle pattern typically seen in this variety.

(12) FIG. 8 (taken Jan. 11, 2015 of Grand Mosaic) presented as a compairson variety, demonstrates the broad needles and light green coloration of this variety. Needle tips exhibit acuminate points.

(13) FIG. 9 (taken Jan. 11, 2015 of Grand Mosaic) presented as a compairson variety in direct view, exhibits a large horizontal needle pattern.

(14) FIG. 10 (taken Jan. 11, 2015 of Mosaic Delight), presented as a comparison variety, demonstrates an open needle arangment on the branchlets. Needles exibit a more narrow and wiry appearance compaired to Early Snow.

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

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

(16) The following is a detailed botanical description of the new variety Early Snow. Data was collected from Stem Cutting Number 1 at 39 months-old in the Fall of 2016; 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, 8C-D (yellow group), 128A-149D (green group), and 155A-D, NN155-159D, 157A-158D, 189A-196D (grey group). Variegated color descriptions include both chimeric and non-chimeric expression.

(17) TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 VARIETY DESCRIPTION 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 Green Sequoia sempervirens (however, it is believed that Parent Two is neither patented, nor commercially available) Propagation: Vegetative via leaf and stem cuttings Plant: Ploidy: Hexaploid Height, unpruned (m): 186.7 cm (measured at 51 months); potential mature height of 18 to 40 m Vigor: Strong Shape: Pyramidal to pendulous Growth rate: Moderate-to-fast depending on albinism present Growth habit: Horizontal to pendulous Canopy width (m): 96.5 cm Canopy height (m): 186.7 cm Crown shape: Pyramidal to pendulous Trunk and Branchlets: Trunk texture: Smooth as cuttings, emerging to fibrous at approximately four years Trunk diameter (cm): 1.9 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): 58.4 cm measured from stem 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 (green group), with a range of 146B-D (green group) Old growth, green branchlet: RHS N137A, (green group), with a range of RHS N137A-D, 137A-D and 147A-B (green group) New growth, albino branchlet: RHS 155A (gray group) with a range of 155A-D, NN155A-B, 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 0 to 20 and dropping range from 100 to 3000 Albino, chimeric, or non-chimeric variegated branches: Approximately 300 to 45 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 143A-D, 144A-D, 146B-D (green group) White bud: 155A (grey group) with a range of 155A-D, NN155A-B, 158C-D (grey group) Variegated bud: 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) c. Bud-union characteristics: Axillary and accessory Burl: Non observed Scion: Circumference (leaf cuttings): 3.5 cm Height at which measurement taken: 15.2 cm at time of planting and 186.7 cm for stem cuttings Suckering: None observed Leaves: Arrangement: Flat to concave needles in alternating patterns Texture: Glabrous (smooth) Type: Simple Shape: Needle-like Needle tip shape: Acuminate, obtuse, mucronate 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 with a range of 146B-D (green group) New growth, green needle (lower surface): RHS 194C (grey group), with a range of 192A-D, 193A-C, 194D (grey group) Old growth, green needle (upper surface): RHS N137A (green group), with a range of N137A-D, 137A-D and 147A-B (green group) Old growth, green needle (lower surface): RHS 191B (grey group), with a range of 190A-C, 191A-D (grey group) New growth, albino needle (upper surface): RHS 155A (grey group) with a range of 155A-D, NN155A-B, 158C-D (grey group) New growth, albino needle (lower surface): RHS NN155A (grey group), with a range of NN155A-B, 155A-D, and 158C-D (grey group) Old growth, albino needle (upper surface): RHS 4D and 8D (yellow group) Old growth, albino needle (lower surface): RHS 4D and 8D (yellow group), with a range of 4C and 8C (yellow group) and 158A-D, (grey group) Variegated needles in all locations: 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) 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 144A with a range of 146B-D (green group) Old growth, green petiole: RHS 137A (green group), with a range of N137A-D, 137A-D, and 147A-B (green group) New growth, albino petiole: RHS 155A (grey group) with a range of 155A-D, NN155A-B, 158C-D (grey group) Old growth, albino petiole: RHS 4D and 8D (yellow group) Variegated petiole: 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) c. Thorns (spines): Absent d. Length (average): 2.5 cm to 3.0 cm (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 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. Early Snow displays an apically weak tree form with both chimeric and non-chimeric variegated growth. Specifically, Early Snow demon- strates 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. Early Snow also demonstrates horizontal to weeping-like chimeric branches that are either green, albino, or chimeric (periclinal, mericlinal, or sectorial). 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 characteristics typical of redwoods grown locally in Santa Cruz, California. 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 varie- gation or chimeric albino growth. In contrast, Early Snow grows at a moderate-to-fast rate, and displays a range of coloration through the chimeric and non-chimeric variegated growth. The commercially available Sequoia sempervirens named Aptos blue demonstrates blue-green foliage and an upright habit with small weeping side branches; whereas, Early Snow foliage ranges in color from green, albino, chimeric, and non-chimeric variegated and has horizontal to drooping branches. Sibling variety Mosaic Delight exhibits similar chimeric albino expressions to Early Snow with notable differences. Needles on Early Snow are darker green and dense in appearance compared to Mosaic Delight, which has narrow and medium green coloration. Needle tips on Early Snow exhibit multiple shapes: obtuse, mucronate and acuminate. In comparison, Mosiac Delight generally exhibits acuminate tips. Early Snow 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. Overall Early Snow exhibits a higher rate of white xillary and accessory buds develping within leaf axils compared to Mosaic Delight. Further,Early Snow differs from Mosaic Delight in that its growth rate is strong, whereas, Mosaic Delight is weak; the albino growth in the internode in Early Snow is higher than in Mosaic Delight and the needle arrangement is overlapping and concave, whereas, in Mosaic Delight it is upturned and open. Additionally, Early Snow exhibits weak apical dominance compared to Grand Mosaic which is mostly apically strong instature. Although Early Snow can maintain a tree form when trained, the natural tendency of the variety is to remain in bush like form. Lastly, Early Snow is particularly distinguished by its short to medium length needles with an overlapping and concave arrangement, a combination of dark green needles exhibiting both sharp and blunt rounded tips. In comparison, Mosaic Delight exhibits an open needle arrangment with medium length needles with a sharp needle tips. Sibling variety Grand Mosaic exhibits similar chimeric albino expressions to Early Snow with notable differences. Axillary and accessory buds forming in the B zone (between primary branches) on Grand Mosaic predominately form from empty leaf axil whereas with Early Snow, a needle is usually present. Overall Early Snow exhibits a higher rate of white axillary and accessoroy buds develping within leaf axils compared to Grand Mosaic. Further, Early Snow differs from its patent pending sibling Grand Mosaic in that its apical dominance is weak, whereas Grand Mosaic exhibits strong apical dominance; Early Snow tends to exhibit albino expression with a 1-year delay, whereas, Grand Mosaic tends to exhibit albino expression with a 2 to 4-year delay. Early Snow also has short to medium size needles and Grand Mosaic has long needles. Lastly, the green needles of Early Snow are dark in comparison to those of Grand Mosaic, which are light green.

(18) Table 3 highlights the distinctions between Early Snow and its siblings. One clone from each of the siblings propagated in 2013 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 Winter of 2015.

(19) TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 COMPARISON OF SECONDARY BRANCHES PATTERNS AMONG SIBLINGS Date Number B & C Secondary Jun. 2, Height of Percentage per cm on development 2015 (cm) Age B & C of B & C main axis after primary Mosaic 159.4 4 B = 10 B = 22% B = 15.9 cm 1-2 years Delight years C = 35 C = 78% C = 4.6 cm Grand 221.6 4 B = 27 B = 66% B = 8.2 cm 2-4 years Mosaic years C = 14 C = 34% C = 15.8 cm Early 97.2 2 B = 20 B = 51% B = 4.9 cm 1-2 years Snow years C = 19 C = 49% C = 5.1 cm

(20) Findings in Table #3 demonstrate that Early Snow produces nearly equal amounts of buds from B and C zones. This balanced distribution of variegated buds is thought to enhance Early Snows visual appearance and marketablity when compaired to siblings: Mosaic Delight and Grand Mosaic.

(21) Table 4 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.

(22) TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 COMPREHENSIVE GROWTH PATTERNS COMPARISON AMONG SIBLINGS Mosaic Delight Grand Mosaic Sibling Sibling Present Early Snow Characteristic PP application PPAF Growth rate Weak Strong Strong Apical dominance Weak Strong Weak Albino expression 1-year delay 2 to 4-year delay 1-year delay Albino growth in Lower Higher Higher internode Majority of B Leaf axils Empty leaf axils Leaf axils zone buds found 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 tip Acuminate tip Obtuse, mucronate and acuminate tips Needle color Dark green Light Green Dark green Branchlet shape Narrow towards Wide towards a Tapers towards a blunt end blunt end blunt end