Pennisetum alopecuroides plant named ‘Red Rocket’

Abstract

A new, distinct Pennisetum alopecuroides plant as shown and described, characterized by thick greyed-purple inflorescences on 75 cm stems that start in early September in northern Illinois.

Claims

1. A new, distinct Pennisetum alopecuroides plant as shown and described, characterized by thick greyed-purple inflorescences on 75 cm stems that start in early September in northern Illinois.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF PHOTOGRAPHS

(1) FIG. 1. Shows a group of potted 1 gallon plants in Hebron, Ill. USA.

(2) FIG. 2. Shows a close up of the flower in Hebron, Ill. USA.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

(3) In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (2001). The plant herein described is a one year old, three gallon specimen grown in full sun and irrigated in Hebron, Ill. Botanical classification: Pennisetum alopecuroides cultivar ‘Red Rocket’. Parentage: Pennisetum alopecuroides unnamed seedling selections. Propagation: Vegetative division. Plant description: Overall habit of the new Pennisetum is strongly clumping mounds with uptight stems topped by greyed-purple colored inflorescences in early September. Vigor is moderate to fast. Plant height.—75 cm. Plant width.—50 cm. Stem diameter.—6 mm. Stem color.—146 C. Foliage: Type.—Deciduous, grass growing in culms. Shape.—Blade. Petiole.—None. Blade length.—45 cm average, ranging from 16-59 cm. Width.—8 mm. Adaxial leaf description.—The leaf color is green color 137 B. Abaxial leaf description.—The leaf color is green color 137 A. Basal leaf sheath color.—Close to 137 A. Leaf sheath.—Glabrous. Auricles.—Not present. Ligules.—As wide as the leaf blade, 1 mm tall, color close to 137 A. Collars.—Continuous, as wide as the leaf blade, less than 1 mm tall, color close to 137 A. Leafbuds are folded in the bud stage. Rhizomes or stolons.—None. The attitude of the tiller on the culm is erect, 35 degrees from the culm. The culm node is glabrous and color at the node is close to 137 A. Internode.—Length 15-20 cm. Culm diameter and color at the internode.—5-6 mm, close to 137 A. Fall leaf color.—Mostly green 137 A with some N77 A fall color at the tips. Flower inflorescence: Number of spike bearing tillers in the culmus.—35. Inflorescence type.—Terminal bristled spike. Floret color.—145 A. Individual floret size.—2 mm across, 7 mm tall. Anther coloration and size.—183 C, 5 mm long, 0.5-1 mm wide. Stigma color and size.—Close to 155 C, 11 mm long, 0.5 mm wide. Glume color and size.—Close to 186 A, 2 mm, less than 1 mm wide. Bristle size.—22 mm long, less than 1 mm wide. Bristle color.—186 A. Caryopsis color.—145 A, shape — elliptic. Overall inflorescence spike size.—6 cm wide, 14 cm long. Flower number.—Approximately 205 florets per mature spike measuring 6 cm wide, 15 cm long. Fertility.—Self-fertile, Fertile with 3 Anthers and 3 Stamens, 1 Stigma. Blooming habit.—Terminal bristled spike on up to 75 cm stems. Bloom period and duration.—Mid-August into October. Scent.—No scent noticed. Bloom color overall.—186 A. Roots.—Stiff, fibrous, and freely branching. Fruit.—Seed identical to the species except size is a slightly smaller. Disease resistance: Plants are not susceptible to any major pests or diseases.