Southern wax myrtle or bayberry plant named ‘Whit XXIX’

Abstract

A new and distinct variety of southern wax myrtle, Myrica cerifera, which has been given the cultivar name ‘Whit XXIX’ is characterized by an upright growth habit with dense evergreen foliage which is aromatic and resistant to damage by white tail deer and tolerant to cold down to −18 F. Foliage is dense, with the many broad flat leaves making it effective as a visual barrier as well as noise reduction. The new cultivar ‘Whit XXIX’ has more dense branching and more leaves compared to other plants of similar size and age, with branches primarily produced on the second (summer) flush.

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of Myrica cerifera plant named ‘Whit XXIX’, substantially as illustrated and described herein having dense branching and dense dark foliage and tolerance to cold to −18 F.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a full color view of the new and distinct variety of southern wax myrtle plant named ‘Whit XXIX’ showing foliage color and density at age seven years. Appearance of wax myrtle plant ‘Whit XXIX’ as photographed in March 2021 following a winter cold temperature period in February of −1, −18, and −6 F.

(2) FIG. 2 is a full color view of the new and distinct variety of southern wax myrtle plant named ‘Whit XXIX’ showing slightly more dense foliage than plants of similar age and size and growing under similar field conditions.

(3) FIG. 3 is a full color view of the new and distinct variety of southern wax myrtle plant named ‘Whit XXIX’ showing a much greater number of branches produced during summer flush compared to plants of similar age and size and growing under similar field conditions.

(4) FIG. 4 is a full color view of leaves from summer growth of the new and distinct variety of southern wax myrtle named ‘Whit XXIX’ showing largest leaves at the base of the stem progressing to smallest leaves at the tip.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

(5) The following is a botanical description of the new and distinct variety of southern wax myrtle, Myrica cerifera which has been given the cultivar name ‘Whit XXIX’. Specific color designations set forth by number designation are in accordance with The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (1966). General color recitations are consistent with ordinary American color terminology.

(6) The plant was 7 years old and was grown outdoors in an open field of sandy, clay loam near Stillwater, Okla. Drip irrigation was applied for the first two years, but in years 3 to 7, no drip was applied in order to evaluate drought tolerance. No signs of drought stress were observed. The plant: Type.—Broadleaf evergreen shrub or small tree. Classification.—Southern wax myrtle, Myrica cerifera. Growth habit.—Upright growing plant with dense foliage, typically with a single stem and no secondary branches or suckers near the base. Origin.—Selected from a population of seedlings resulting from a seedling selection process begun in 1988 with seeds from northern Virginia and progressing through eight generations to the seedlings planted in 2015 resulting in ‘Whit XXIX’ cultivar. Propagation.—The new cultivar ‘WHIT XXIX’ has been propagated by softwood to early semi hardwood cuttings of current season's growth taken in spring and placed under intermittent mist in a greenhouse near Stillwater, Okla. Distinguishing characteristics of the resulting plants remain identical to the parent through succeeding asexual propagations. Hardiness.—The new and distinct cultivar of southern wax myrtle named ‘Whit XXIX’ is exceptionally cold hardy having no injury from severe winter temperatures of −1, −18 and −6 F during a period in February 2021. Pests and disease.—Resistant to grazing and rubbing by white tailed deer, even under high deer population. Foliage damage may occur from fall webworms and bagworms. No leaf spot disease has been observed on any of the seedling grown during this study. The flowers: Flowering period.—No flowers of either sex have been observed on the new wax myrtle named ‘Whit XXIX’ which is seven years old. Wax myrtle are dioecious with a typical ratio of about 1 male to 3 females. Typically, among wax myrtle seedlings grown during the 30+ years of this study, the wax myrtle begin flowering at age three years old. The foliage: The foliage and form.—Growth is upright with dense branching and foliage. Old leaves remain on the plant after new spring growth and slowly drop during the growing season as new growth reduces light below the compensation point. Leaf arrangement.—Alternate and simple, spaced variably around the stem and with variable distances between leaves. Leaf shape.—Oblanceolate, tapering in width variably from about the center to the base with length variable, but generally cuneate above a short stout petiole of variable length. Leaves at the base of the flush of growth are larger and become progressively smaller transitioning to the tip. Leaf tips are variable, obtuse to acute. Leaves near the base typically have from one to five or more serrations, primarily near the tip but with variations in placement while leaves further up the stem typically have no serrations. Leaf surface and color.—Glabrous, with color variable, among leaves on a stem of current season's growth, but mature leaves are about 146 A or B or 148 A on the upper surface (best match, but not a good fit as leaves are darker) and about 152 A or B on lower surface. New emerging growth is about 152 B, C or D on the upper surface, transitioning to 152 A then 146 A or B or 148 A. Leaf texture.—Upper and lower surfaces, smooth, glabrous, leathery. Upper surface with a glossy luster, while lower surface is dull. Leaf size.—Variable, ranging from about 1.5 to 4 inches with the longest leaves at the base of a season's flush of growth and with decreasing size transitioning to the tip. The branches and bark: Branch color.—Current season's stem between about 152 B or C, early, transitioning to 166 B or C and fully developed branches about 166 A. Bark.—Grey to grayish green smooth, color about 164 A or B, but no good fit among the color choices.