Asplenium plant named VITASPHUR

Abstract

A new and distinct Asplenium antiquum cultivar named VITASPHUR which is characterized by strongly carinate leaves, moderately undulate leaf margins, a unique growth habit with leaves that twist and curl in a clockwise orientation, and the stability of these characteristics from generation to generation.

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of Asplenium antiquum plant named VITASPHUR, substantially as described and illustrated herein.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0009] 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 VITASPHUR grown in a commercial greenhouse in Mariahout, the Netherlands. This plant is approximately 2 years old, shown planted in a 12 cm container.

[0010] FIG. 2 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, the typical apical foliage habit of VITASPHUR.

[0011] FIG. 3 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, the typical axial foliage habit of VITASPHUR.

[0012] FIG. 4 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, the sori of VITASPHUR.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

[0013] The following observations and measurements made in December of 2015 describe averages from a sample set of six specimens of 2 year-old VITASPHUR plants grown in 12 cm nursery containers at a greenhouse in Mariahout, the Netherlands. Plants were produced using conventional greenhouse production protocols which consisted of overhead irrigation, liquid fertilizer applications, and chemical pest control measures as required. Temperatures ranged from approximately 5 to 15 degrees Celsius during the day and 1 to 12 degrees Celsius at night. No photoperiodic treatments or artificial light was given to the plants.

[0014] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristics will vary with older or, conversely, with younger plants. VITASPHUR 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, climatic and cultural conditions. Color notations are based on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, The Royal Horticultural Society, London, 2015 (sixth edition).

[0015] A botanical description of VITASPHUR and a comparison with the parent and closest known comparator, Asplenium antiquum, is provided below.Plant description: Growth habit.Herbaceous perennial; leaves growing from a basal rosette forming a globular-shaped plant.Height from soil level to top of foliar plane.47.8 cm, on average.Plant spread.Average of 64.0 cm.Growth rate.Moderate.Plant vigor.Moderate.Propagation.Type Mericloning. Time to initiate roots Approximately 80 days at about 25 degrees Celsius. Time to produce a rooted cutting Approximately 105 days at 20 to 25 degrees Celsius. No pinching is required. Crop time Approximately 26 weeks from propagation to marketable plant.Disease and pest resistance or susceptibility.Similar to other Asplenium antiquum varieties.Environmental tolerances.Adapt to, at least, USDA Zones 10B to 13 and temperatures as high as 35 degrees Celsius; high tolerance to rain; moderate tolerance to wind. Root system: General.Fine, well-branched fibrous roots. Foliage: Arrangement.Alternate; growing in basal rosettes.Quantity.Approximately 62 leaves per plant.Dimensions.36.2 cm long and 9.0 cm wide, on average.Shape.Lanceolate.Aspect.Moderately to strongly carinate; moderately twisted and curled.Apex.Acuminate; strongly curled to near cirrhose.Base.Obtuse.Margin.Entire; strongly undulate.Pubescence, texture and luster of adaxial surface.Glabrous, smooth, and glossy; proximal portion on the main vein is moderately covered with a thin papery layer, colored greyed-brown between RHS 199B and N199B.Pubescence, texture and luster of abaxial surface.Glabrous, smooth, and moderately glossy; proximal portion on the main vein is moderately covered with a thin papery layer, colored greyed-brown between RHS 199B and N199B.Color.Juvenile foliage, adaxial surface Yellow-green, near RHS 144A. Juvenile foliage, abaxial surface Yellow-green, near RHS 144A. Mature foliage, adaxial surface Green, in between near RHS 137B and 143A; general tonality is closest to 137B. Mature foliage, abaxial surface Green, near RHS 137C, and yellow-green, near RHS 146B; general tonality is closest to 137B.Venation.Pinnate with free simple veins.Venation color, adaxial surface.The main vein is green, near RHS 143A, to yellow-green, near 144A; base is brown near RHS 200A and 200B, and darker. Secondary veins are green, in between near 137B and 143A yet closest to 137B.Venation color, abaxial surface.The main vein is yellow-green, near 144A; the proximal one-third to one-half is brown near RHS 200A and 200B, and darker. Secondary veins are is green, near RHS 137C, to yellow-green, near 146B yet closest to 137B.Petiole.No petioles present, leaves sessile. Sori: Arrangement.Linear.Length.Approximately 2.6 cm.Diameter.Approximately 0.5 cm.Quantity of sori per leaf.300, on average.Quantity of sori per plant.Over 15,000.Sori color.Brown, near RHS 200A.Spore color.Greyed-orange, near RHS 163B. Comparisons with the parent plant: Plants of the new cultivar VITASPHUR differ from the parent and closest known comparator, Asplenium antiquum, in the following characteristics: 1. VITASPHUR exhibits foliage which is moderately carinate, moderately twisted and moderately curled, whereas the foliage of Asplenium antiquum is only slightly carinate and slightly arched downward. 2. VITASPHUR exhibits strongly undulate leaf margins, whereas the leaf margins of Asplenium antiquum are only slightly undulate. 3. VITASPHUR exhibits a unique growth habit with leaves that twist and curl in a clockwise orientation, whereas Asplenium antiquum exhibits an upright growth habit.