<i>Tillandsia </i>plant named ‘PREZIOSA’

Abstract

A new and distinct cultivar of Tillandsia plant named PREZIOSA is disclosed, characterized by solid growth habit, funnel-form rosette plant, measuring about 30 cm in height (above the pot when flowering); numerous green colored foliage, measuring about 40 cm in length and about 3 cm in width; superior floral bract production; bracts have unique red-purple inflorescence; and long-lasting habit. The new variety is a Tillandsia, typically produced as an ornamental plant.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Tillandsia plant named PREZIOSA as herein illustrated and described.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

(1) The accompanying photograph illustrates the overall appearance of the new Tillandsia cultivar PREZIOSA showing the colors as true as is reasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photograph may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describes the color of PREZIOSA. The accompanying figure shows a side perspective view of a typical potted flowering plant of PREZIOSA at about 15 months of age from potting.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

(2) PREZIOSA has not been tested and observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, frequency of fertilization, composition of fertilizer, flowering treatment, day length and humidity, without any change in the genotype of the plant. For example, substantial differences in plant height and diameter, number of leaves, can result depending on the size of the plant at the time that flowering is induced by flowering treatment. Since treatment to induce flowering disrupts normal watering and fertilization regimens, flowering treatment of relatively smaller plants adversely affects the growth of the plant.

(3) The aforementioned photograph, together with the following observations, measurements and values describe the new Tillandsia PREZIOSA as grown in a greenhouse in Assendelft, The Netherlands, under conditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice. Plants of PREZIOSA were grown in a greenhouse with day temperatures ranging from 20 C. to 28 C. and night temperatures ranging from 18 C. to 23 C. No artificial lighting or photoperiodic treatments were conducted, but plants of PREZIOSA are forced into flowering. The following fertilizer is added when growing plants of PREZIOSA: 1 part nitrogen, 0.6 parts phosphor, 2 parts Kalium and 0.1 parts magnesium.

(4) Color references are made to the Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (RHS), 2001 edition, except where general colors of ordinary significance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditions in a greenhouse in Assendelft, The Netherlands. The age of the plants of PREZIOSA described is about 13 weeks after flowering treatment. Botanical classification: Tillandsia sp. PREZIOSA.

PROPAGATION

(5) Propagation Method: Tissue culture.

PLANT

(6) General Appearance and Form: Shape.Funnel-form rosette. Height.About 30 cm when flowering. Width.About 55 cm. Growth Habit: Stemless. Plant Vigor: Good. Flowering Season: A fully grown plant can flower year-round, starting about 13 weeks after induction of natural light or through flowering treatment. Cold Tolerance: Frost tender. Temperatures below 5 C. may damage plants. Fragrance: None.

FOLIAGE

(7) Leaf: Quantity.About 18, depending on the size of the plant. Average Length.40 cm when flowering. Average Width.3 cm. Overall shape.Linear. Blade shape.Narrowly triangular. Apex.Cuspidate. Base.Strap-like around central axis. Margin.13 Entire. Texture.Coarse lepidote, both sides. Aspect.Overall curved. Color (varies somewhat depending on growing conditions).Mature and Immature, Upper Side: RHS Green 137A. Mature and Immature, Under Side: RHS Green 137B tinged 144A.

INFLORESCENCE

(8) Flowers are mostly disposed within the floral bracts and rarely open full. Borne.Erect stalks. Type.Compound (branching). Length.About 40 cm. Diameter.About 18 cm. Flowers per Inflorescence.Average 115 true flowers within inflorescence. Color.Near RHS Red-Purple 58B. Petals: Quantity.3 per flower. Length.About 3.8 cm. Width.About 0.7 cm. Shape.Ligulate. Apex.Obtuse. Base.Fused. Color.Upper Surface: Near RHS Violet-Blue 83A. Under Surface: Near RHS Violet-Blue 83A. Sepals: Quantity.3 per flower. Length.About 2.5 cm. Width.About 0.8 cm. Shape.Ligulate. Apex.Acute. Base.Fused. Color.Near RHS White 158C, apex near Red-Purple 58C. Scape: Number.1. Length.About 20 cm. Width.About 1 cm. Scape Bracts.Quantity: About 8. Arrangement: Alternate. Length: Average 25 cm. Width: 1.5 cm. Shape: Linear. Apex: Acuminate. Base: Fused. Margin: Entire. Texture: Smooth. Color, Upper and Under Surfaces: Near RHS Green 137B. Primary Bracts: Quantity.About 8. Arrangement.Alternate. Length.4.5 to 11.5 cm. Width.About 2 cm. Shape.Lanceolate, tips curved downwards. Apex.Obtuse to acute. Base.Fused. Margin.Entire. Texture.Smooth. Color, Upper and Under Surfaces.Near RHS Red-Purple 58C. Branches: Quantity.About 8. Length.About 9 cm. Diameter.About 1.5 cm. Color, Upper and Under Surfaces.Near RHS Red-Purple 58C. Floral Bracts: Quantity.About 100. Length.About 3 cm. Diameter.About 1.5 cm. Shape.Lanceolate. Apex.Acute. Base.Fused. Margin.Entire. Texture.Smooth. Color, Upper and Under Surfaces.Near RHS Red-Purple 58C.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

(9) Androecium: Stamen.Number: 6 per flower. Length: About 0.5 cm. Diameter: About 0.1 mm. Color: Near RHS White 155D. Anther.Shape: Linear. Length: About 0.5 cm. Color: RHS Yellow 7C. Pollen: Moderate. Pollen Color: RHS Yellow 7D. Gynoecium: Stigma.Shape: 3-parted. Width: About 0.2 cm. Color: RHS Green 143D Style.Length: About 4 cm. Color: White; too small to qualify RHS value. Ovary.Position: Superior. Shape: Conical. Length: About 0.6 cm. Diameter: About 0.4 cm.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

(10) Seeds: Not observed. Fruit: Not observed. Disease/pest resistance: No resistance nor susceptibility to normal diseases and pests of Tillandsia have been observed.