Dieffenbachia plant named ‘Nicole’

Details Dieffenbachia plant named ‘Nicole’ Dieffenbachia plant named ‘Nicole’

2002-09-17

2004-02-03

Campell, Bruce R. (Department: 1661)

Plants

Herbaceous ornamental foliage plant

Dieffenbachia

Plant Patent

active

PP014511

ABSTRACT:

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: The plant genus is Dieffenbachia. The plant species is hybrida.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Dieffenbachia which is named ‘Nicole’. Its genus is Dieffenbachia. The plant species is hybrida. Its market class is that of ornamental potted plants. ‘Nicole’ is a perennial plant, and is intended for use in landscaping, and as a decorative potted plant.
DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART
‘Nicole’ is the product of a planned breeding program carried out in 1993 and 1994 at Wellington Point, Queensland, Australia. Its parents were wild Dieffenbachia. ‘Nicole’ was the product of a planned breeding program carried out by the Inventor Gary R. Spink in 1993 and 1994. Nicole's pollen parent was Dieffenbachia ‘Tropic Marianne’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,832), and its seed parent was Dieffenbachia ‘Triumph’ (not subject of a U.S. Plant Patent).
As compared to parental variety ‘Tropic Marianne’, the growth habit of ‘Nicole’ is more compact (height 70 cm, width 90 cm) than ‘Tropic Marianne’. ‘Tropic Marianne’ is taller and not so compact (height 90 cm, width 90 cm). The leaf shape of ‘Nicole’ is elliptic, while the leaf shape of ‘Tropic Marianne’ is oblong. The leaf apex shape of both ‘Nicole’ and ‘Tropic Marianne’ is rounded with small point. The leaf size of ‘Nicole’ is 31.0 cm long and 13.2 cm wide, yielding a length to width ratio of 2.38, while the leaf size of ‘Tropic Marianne’ is 35.5 cm long by 20.67 cm wide, yielding a length to with ratio of 1.72. Note the smaller length to width ratio indicates a wider leaf. The ‘Nicole’ leaf petiole to stem angle is about 30 degrees, while the ‘Tropic Marianne’ leaf petiole to stem angle is about 60 degrees. The ‘Nicole’ leaf positioning is mainly upright, while the ‘Tropic Marianne’ leaf positioning is slightly drooping. The ‘Nicole’ distance from apex of wing to leaf base is 2.7 cm, while the ‘Tropic Marianne’ distance from apex of wing to leaf base 8.5 cm.
As compared to parental variety ‘Triumph’, the leaves of ‘Triumph’ are much smaller than those of ‘Nicole’. ‘Triumph’ has a colored petiole (Orange White about RHS 159B-C) whereas Nicole has a green petiole. ‘Triumph’ has dark green leaf wing which is speckled whereas ‘Nicole’ has no speckling. ‘Nicole’ leaves are yellow-green with a border of green. ‘Nicole's’ leaf border has the yellow-green of the leaf extending into it, forming a distinctive fish-bone like pattern. ‘Triumph’ has no fish bone pattern. The ‘Triumph’ petiole wings tightly clasp the stem whereas the petiole wings of ‘Nicole’ don't.
As compared to ‘Nicolette’ (described in co-pending application 10/245,835), the ‘Nicole’ leaves (31.0 cm long by 13.2 cm wide, yielding a length to width ratio of 2.38), are larger than the ‘Nicolette’ leaves (23.2 cm long by 12.24 cm wide, yielding a length to width ratio of 1.9). ‘Nicolette’ plants are smaller and more compact (60 cm high, 60 cm wide), than ‘Nicole’ plants (70 cm high, 90 cm wide). The ‘Nicolette’ apex of wing to leaf base distance is 1.6 cm, while the ‘Nicole’ apex of wing to leaf base distance is 2.7 cm.
Uniformity:
Dieffenbachia ‘Nicole’ was first asexually reproduced in September 1994 by vegetative cutting. The plant is a perennial. The plant is stable as evidenced by propagation over more than five generations, using vegetative cuttings, over a period of more than five years. Propagation was carried out at Wellington Point, Queensland, Australia.
No off-types have been observed throughout the trial period. The variety is considered to be uniform and stable in all characteristics.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The major characteristics of ‘Nicole’ include medium size elliptic leaves, strong suckering ability and short petiole and petiole wing clasping the stem to about the leaf base. Leaves are yellow-green with a green border having a distinctive fish-bone like pattern of yellow-green extending into the border.
The following traits which have been repeatedly observed are determined to be basic characteristics of ‘Nicole’, which in combination distinguish ‘Nicole’ from other Dieffenbachia of the same general type.
1. Plant growth habit is compact: height 70 cm, width 90 cm.
2. Leaf shape is elliptic.
3. Leaf size is 31.0 cm long and 13.2 cm wide. The length to width ratio is 2.38.
4. Leaf angle to stem is about 30 degrees.
5. Leaf positioning is mainly upright.
6. The distance from apex of wing to leaf base is 2.7 cm.
7. The leaves are yellow-green with a border of green. The border has the yellow-green of the leaf extending into it forming a distinctive fish-bone like pattern.

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