Guzmania Plant "Bunguzce"

Abstract

A new and distinct variety of Guzmania plant named BUNGUZCE which is characterized by the combination of an upright growth habit, a tall plant height, long dark. green foliage, a compound terminal inflorescence held above the foliage with large light pink bracts which subtend small lateral spikes of individual flowers, small white flowers that are subtended by a smaller pink floral bract which is tipped white, and the stability of all characteristics from generation to generation.

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of Guzmania plant named BUNGUZCE, substantially as described and illustrated herein.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, an exemplary plant of BUNGUZCE grown in a commercial greenhouse in Kudelstaart, the Netherlands. This plant is approximately 18 months old, shown planted in a 12 cm container.

[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, the mature foliage of BUNGUZCE.

[0012] FIG. 3 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, the inflorescence of BUNGUZCE.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

[0013] The following observations and measurements, made in November of 2023, describe averages from a sample set of six specimens of 18 month-old BUNGUZCE plants grown in 12 cm nursery pots at a commercial greenhouse in Kudelstaart, the Netherlands. Plants were grown under approximately 50-percent shade cloth and maintained with a 1.0 EC fertigation program with regular overhead irrigation. No chemical pest measures were taken.

[0014] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristics will vary with older or, conversely, with younger plants. BUNGUZCE has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Where dimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is to be understood that such characteristics are approximations or averages set forth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety may differ from the descriptions set forth herein with variations in environmental, climactic and cultural conditions. Color notations are based on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, The Royal Horticultural Society, London, Sixth Edition.

[0015] A botanical description of BUNGUZCE and a comparison with the parent plant and most similar variety of Guzmania are provided below. [0016] Plant description: [0017] Growth habit.Perennial; monopodial; broad, upright. Leaves arranged in a funnel shaped basal rosette, with no lateral branching, and the inflorescence growing from the center of the basal rosette and held above the foliage. [0018] Plant form.Flattened globular. [0019] Average height.29.0 cm, from the soil level to the top of the foliar plane, and 40.3 cm to the top of the floral plane. [0020] Plant spread.Average of 50.5 cm. [0021] Growth rate.Moderately fast. [0022] Plant vigor.Moderately vigorous. [0023] Propagation type.Vegetative cuttings and meristematic tissue culture. [0024] Time to initiate roots.Approximately 22 days at 21 degrees Celsius. [0025] Time to produce a marketable plant.Approximately 70 weeks at 21 degrees Celsius in a 12.0 cm nursery container. [0026] Pest resistance and susceptibility.Typical resistance and susceptibility to other Guzmania varieties. [0027] Temperature tolerances.USDA Zones 10 to 13; at least tolerant of temperatures to 40 degrees Celsius. High tolerance to wind and rain inundations. [0028] Root system: [0029] General.Thick; medium density. [0030] Texture.Slightly fleshy. [0031] Foliage: [0032] Arrangement.Basal rosulate. No stems or lateral branches. [0033] Attachment.Sessile. [0034] Division.Simple. [0035] Quantity of leaves.18. [0036] Lamina.Dimensions 41.2 cm long and 4.0 cm wide. Shape of blade Ensiform. Aspect Moderately concave and curled downward. Attitude Upright and moderately reflexed. Apex Apiculate. Base Sheathing. Margin Entire, unlobed; not undulated. Pubescence, texture and luster of adaxial surface Glabrous, non-rugose and slightly glossy. Pubescence, texture and luster of abaxial surface Glabrous, non-rugose and slightly glossy. Color Juvenile foliage, adaxial surface Green, nearest to RHS 143A. Juvenile foliage, abaxial surface Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 146B. Mature foliage, adaxial surface Green, slightly darker than a blend of RHS 137B and 143A yet nearest to 137B. Mature foliage, abaxial surface Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 146B. Venation Pattern Parallel. Mature foliage venation, adaxial surface Green, slightly darker than a combination of RHS 137B and 143A yet nearest to 137B. Mature foliage venation, abaxial surface Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 146B. Sheath Sheath dimensions 9.3 cm long and 7.2 cm wide. Sheath Color Greyed-yellow; near 160A and 160B. [0037] Inflorescence: [0038] Inflorescence arrangement.Terminal compound spike bearing an average of 12 smaller spikes, each subtended by a large, showy bract; the small spikes bear an average of 9 individual flowers which are themselves subtended by a floral bract. [0039] Natural flowering season.Continuous flowering. [0040] Time to flower.Approximately 6 months. [0041] Inflorescence quantity.One. [0042] Flowers per inflorescence.Average of 108. [0043] Inflorescence height.Approximately 15.4 cm (measured from base of lowest flower to top of upper flower). [0044] Inflorescence diameter.Average of 4.6 cm, excluding bracts, and 21.6 cm with bracts. [0045] Large bracts subtending each flower cluster spike.Quantity Average of 12. Shape Lanceolate. Dimensions Average of 11.4 cm long and 3.0 cm wide. Apex Acuminate. Base Sheathing. Margins Entire. Texture and luster Smooth, glabrous, and moderately glossy. Color, upper surface Red-purple, RHS 67B; lower bracts are tipped green, RHS 143, at and near the apex. Color, lower surface Red-purple, nearest to a blend of RHS 67B and 67C; lower bracts are tipped yellow-green, nearest to RHS 146B, at and near the apex. Sheath Sheath length Average 3.5 cm. Sheath width Average 4.9 cm. Sheath color, upper surface Nearest to a blend of yellow-green and greyed-yellow, RHS 153D and 160A. Sheath color, lower surface Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 152B, and transitioning to greyed-orange at the base, RHS N167A. [0046] Peduncle.Dimensions Approximately 26.0 cm long and 0.9 cm in diameter. Attitude Vertical, angle at which peduncle sits compared to the lateral branch axis is 0-degrees. Strength Strong. Texture and luster Glabrous, smooth, and glossy. Color Yellow-green to greyed-yellow, nearest to a combination of RHS 150D and 160D. [0047] Bud: [0048] Length.Average of 1.9 cm. [0049] Diameter.Average of 0.25 cm. [0050] Shape.Lanceolate. [0051] Texture and luster.Glabrous, smooth, and moderately glossy. [0052] Color.Green-white, nearest RHS 157A; the upper portion, approximately two-thirds of the way, is translucent white, nearest to RHS NN155D. [0053] Flower: [0054] Flower type and form.Lanceolate. [0055] Attachment.Sessile. [0056] Attitude.Upright. [0057] Height.Approximately 0.5 cm. [0058] Width.Average of 0.5 cm. [0059] Depth.Approximately 3.5 cm. [0060] Fragrance.No fragrance. [0061] Lastingness.4 weeks. [0062] Persistence.Persistent self-cleaning. [0063] Texture and luster.Both sides of the flower are smooth and glabrous. [0064] Petals.Quantity of Petals 3. Arrangement Rotate; single whorl; petals free. Length Approximately 1.5 cm. Width Approximately 0.4 cm. Shape Oblong. Aspect Concave. Apex Obtuse. Base Cuneate. Margin Entire; not undulated. Pubescence, texture and luster of upper surface Glabrous, smooth and slightly glossy. Pubescence, texture and luster of lower surface Glabrous, smooth and slightly glossy. Color when opening, upper surface White, nearest to RHS NN155C. Color when opening, lower surface White, nearest to RHS NN155C. Color when fully opened, upper surface White, nearest to RHS NN155C. Color when fully opened, lower surface White, nearest to RHS NN155C. Fading, upper surface Not fading. Fading, lower surface Not fading. Venation color, fully opened, upper surface No venation is visible. Venation color, fully opened, lower surface No venation is visible. [0065] Calyx.Shape Rotate. Length Average of 3.2 cm. Diameter Average of 0.5 cm. [0066] Sepals.Quantity 3 unfused sepals in a single whorl. Arrangement Rotate. Length 3.2 cm. Width 0.45 cm. Shape Lanceolate. Aspect Strongly concave. Apex Narrow acuminate. Base Cuneate. Margin Entire. Pubescence, texture and luster of upper surface Glabrous, smooth, and moderately glossy. Pubescence, texture and luster of lower surface Glabrous, smooth, and moderately glossy. Color when opening, upper surface Translucent white, nearest to RHS NN155A. Color when opening, lower surface Translucent white, nearest to RHS NN155A. Color when fully opened, upper surface Translucent white, nearest to RHS NN155A. Color when fully opened, lower surface Translucent white, nearest to RHS NN155A. [0067] Floral bracts.Shape Oblong yet folded to envelop the flower. Aspect Concave. Dimensions, when unfolded Average of 5.6 cm long, including the sheath, and 2.1 cm wide. Apex Bluntly acute. Base Broad cuneate. Margins Entire. Texture and luster, upper surface Smooth and moderately glossy. Texture and luster, lower surface Smooth and moderately glossy. Color, upper surface The base of the bract is translucent white, nearest to RHS 155B; bracts becoming increasingly suffused and ultimately transitioning entirely to red-purple, nearest to RHS N74D, for approximately the distal two-thirds portion of the bract; bracts tipped with white, nearest to NN155B. Color, lower surface The base of the bract is translucent white, nearest to RHS 155A; bracts becoming increasingly suffused and ultimately transitioning entirely to red-purple, nearest to RHS N74D, for approximately the distal two-thirds portion of the bract; bracts tipped with white, nearest to NN155B. [0068] Reproductive organs: [0069] Stamens.Quantity 6, on average. Anthers Attachment Dorsifixed. Shape Narrow sagittate. Dimensions Average of 0.7 cm long and 0.1 cm wide. Color White, nearest to RHS 155A. Filaments Length 0.9 cm, on average. Color White, nearest to RHS 155D. Pollen None detected. Pistil Quantity 1. Length 0.8 cm. Style . Length 0.65 cm. Color White, nearest to RHS 155C. Stigma . Shape Cleft, fringed, three-parted. Dimensions Average of 0.15 cm long and 0.15 cm wide. Color White, nearest to RHS 155D. Ovary Color Green-white, nearest to RHS 157C. [0070] Fruit and seed: To date, not observed. [0071] Comparisons with the parent plant: Plants of the new cultivar BUNGUZCE differ from its parent, Guzmania hybrid Viola (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,679), by the characteristics described in Table 1.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Characteristic BUNGUZCE Voila General coloration A darker shade of green A lighter shade of green of the foliage. relative to Viola. The relative to BUNGUZCE, foliage is homogenously with splotches of light green. brown suffusion. General coloration A lighter shade of red- A darker shade of red- of the purple relative to Viola. purple relative large showy bracts. to BUNGUZCE. [0072] Comparison with the most similar Guzmania cultivar known to the inventor: BUNGUZCEis similar in many horticultural characteristics to the commercial cultivar Guzmania sp. G9197 (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 28,212). However, BUNGUZCE differs from G9197 by the characteristics described in Table 2.

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Characteristic BUNGUZCE G9197 Plant size. Taller than G9197. Shorter than BUNGUZCE. Foliage length. Longer than G9197. Shorter than BUNGUZCE. General coloration A lighter shade of red- A darker shade of red- of the purple relative to purple relative to large showy bracts. G9197. BUNGUZCE. Flower size. Larger than G9197. Smaller than BUNGUZCE. Quantity of flowers Less flowers than More flowers than per inflorescence. G9197. BUNGUZCE.