Plants – Rose – Climber
Plant Patent
1999-04-27
2001-11-13
Locker, Howard J. (Department: 1661)
Plants
Rose
Climber
Plant Patent
active
PP012203
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of
Loropetalum chinense
and was discovered as a naturally occurring, whole-plant mutation in a cultivated planting of
Loropetalum chinense
in Angyo Kichi Zo, Saitama Prefecture, Japan. The varietal denomination of the new variety is ‘Hindwarf’.
The genus Loropetalum is included in the family Hamamelidaceae that comprises about 15 genera of shrubs and trees growing in the northern hemisphere. Loropetalum comprises one species of evergreen shrub or small tree, which possesses desirable ornamental characteristics. Loropetalum was first introduced to Europe as an ornamental plant in the 1880s, and is believed to have been cultivated in North America since the early 1930s.
Loropetalum chinense
is a native of China, and was first discovered in 1928 in Hunan province. It was rediscovered in the late 1980s and subsequently introduced to the United States.
Loropetalum chinense
generally has alternate, ovate leaves to 6 cm. long and 3 cm. wide. The plant is evergreen or partly evergreen depending on winter temperature. Leaf color ranges from light to dark burgundy, occasionally green, depending on light intensity, cultural conditions and cultivar. Shoots are slender, brown, and densely pubescent, pit is solid. Leaves are generally densely pubescent overall.
Flowers of
Loropetalum chinense
are perfect, four strap like, about 2 cm. long, and about 0.3 cm. wide petals. Three to six flowers are together in each leaf axil. Pedicel and calyx have a white pubescence. Flower color is pinkish to reddish purple depending on the cultivar. Flowering is heaviest in early spring.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The new variety was discovered as a naturally occurring, whole plant mutation in a cultivated planting of
Loropetalum chinense
and differs from other cultivars known to the inventor in having a low growing, compact habit. Asexual reproduction of the new variety by stem cuttings performed in Kawaguchi City, Saitama Prefecture, Japan; Lewisberry, Pa.; Irvine, Calif.; Forest Grove, Oreg. and Fulshear, Tex.; have confirmed that the distinctive characteristics of the new variety are stable and transmitted to succeeding generations and that the new variety reproduces true to type.
COMPARISON WITH PARENT
‘Hindwarf’ is distinguished from its parent and all other varieties of
Loropetalum chinense
of which I am aware by its prostrate, compact habit, reaching no more than 2 ft. in height and 3 to 6 ft. in width. In contrast, the parent of ‘Hindwarf’ is an upright-growing shrub to about 12 ft. high and 6 ft. wide. Named varieties similar to the parent include
Loropetalum chinense
‘Ruby’ (unpatented), which reaches about 4 ft. high and about 3 ft. wide at maturity; and the variety ‘Hines Purpleleaf’ (unpatented), which reaches about 3 ft. high and about 2 ft. wide at maturity.
REFERENCES:
patent: P.P. 11766 (2001-02-01), Head
Bell Kent L.
Christie Parker & Hale LLP
Hines Nurseries Inc.
Locker Howard J.
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