<i>Cliftonia </i>plant named ‘BLCM05’

Abstract

A new and distinctive Cliftonia monophylla plant, characterized by its fragrant pink flowers. Plants are upright in form, having a V-shape. Mature plants reach a height around 6 to 8 feet with a spread of around 4 to 5 feet. This controlled plant habit makes a useful ornamental landscape plant with very little maintenance. The new plant is a Cliftonia, typically useful for ornamental horticulture.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Cliftonia monophylla plant named ‘BLCM05’, substantially as described and illustrated herein.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

(1) The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates a typical plant of ‘BLCM05’ 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) Plants photographed are approximately 2 years old. 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 ‘BLCM05’ 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 ‘BLCM05’.

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: Upright, V-shaped shrub. Height: Approximately 54 cm. Plant spread: Approximately 58 cm. Branching characteristics: 2 main basal branches, each splitting into 4 main lateral branches. Primary branches: Length of primary branches: Average 10 to 20 cm. Diameter of primary branches: Average range 4 to 7 mm. Primary branch strength: Very strong, difficult to break. Primary branch color: Young primary branches near RHS Yellow-Green 144C, turning Greyed-Red 183C. Mature branches woody, colored near Greyed-Green 197A, heavily tinted Greyed-Purple N187A and N187B and slightly tinted Greyed-Red 182C. 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: Young primary branches upper surface near Greyed-Purple 187B, lower surface near Greyed-Purple 183B. Mature branches woody, colored near RHS Greyed-Purple 187A with scaliness colored near Grey-Green 197A on oldest growth. Lateral branch texture: Immature growth glabrous. Older growth scaly. Internode length: Average 2.5 cm to 6.0 cm. Age of plant described: Approximately 2 years.

FOLIAGE

(7) Leaf: Leaf.— Type.—Simple. Arrangement.—Whorled towards branches ends, foliage on lower portion of branches sub-opposite. Average length.—Approximately 3.2 cm to 3.6 cm. Average width.—Approximately 9 to 14 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 Yellow-Green 144B, thin marginal coloration and center streaks near Greyed-Purple 185B. Young foliage under side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 144C, thin marginal coloration and center streaks near Greyed-Purple 185B. Mature foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 139A. Base Greyed-Purple 187B. Mature foliage under side: Near RHS Green 137C. Base Greyed-Purple 187B. Venation.—Type: Pinnate. Venation color upper side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 144C. Venation color under side: Near RHS Green 138B.

FLOWER

(8) Bloom period: Around April through May. Inflorescence: Elongated, slightly weeping raceme. Raceme: Length.—Average 6 to 9 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.—Youngest near Red-Purple N57C, mature near Red-Purple 58D, aging near Yellow-Green 153D. Texture.—Glabrous. Aspect.—Straight. Angle of attachment approximately 45° angle from peduncle. Peduncle rachis length.—Average range 5 to 8 cm. Peduncle rachis color.—Immature near Red-Purple N57C. Mature near 58D. Aging near Yellow-Green 153D. Flowers: Quantity.—Average 15 to 20 per raceme. Length.—Average 5 mm Diameter.—Average 5 to 6 mm. Facing direction.—Outwardly facing. Fragrance.—Significant sweet scent. 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.