USPP11230P - Fern plant named `Laua'e Iki` - Google Patents

Fern plant named `Laua'e Iki` Download PDF

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USPP11230P
USPP11230P US08/975,373 US97537397V US11230P US PP11230 P USPP11230 P US PP11230P US 97537397 V US97537397 V US 97537397V US 11230 P US11230 P US 11230P
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laua
iki
scolopendrium
plant
new
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Robert T Martin
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01H—NEW PLANTS OR NON-TRANSGENIC PROCESSES FOR OBTAINING THEM; PLANT REPRODUCTION BY TISSUE CULTURE TECHNIQUES
    • A01H9/00—Pteridophytes, e.g. ferns, club-mosses, horse-tails

Definitions

  • Laua'e is an ornamental fern, Microsorium scolopendrium, of the family Polypodiaceae. Laua'e is primarily cultivated for use as ground cover, particularly in tropical regions such as Hawai'i.
  • the cultivar is in fact a dwarf wherein all of the usual elements of the known, standard (wild type) Laua'e fern are present but, with the exceptions of spore clusters and roots, are on a dwarf scale. Proportionally reduced or dwarfed to about 1/2 to 2/3 normal size are the leaves, stems and rhizomes.
  • the new cultivar was discovered in a cultivated area by the inventor in Paia, Maui, as a naturally occurring mutation of unknown origin in a population of about 10,000 Laua'e plants.
  • ⁇ Laua'e Iki ⁇ initially produces a very large number of small, juvenile, lanceolate leaves growing much closer together than is characteristic for M. scolopendrium.
  • ⁇ Laua'e Iki ⁇ produces about double the number of leaves (albeit smaller) as a corresponding plant of M. scolopendrium.
  • a 1.75" by 2.5" by 3" container may contain 30 juvenile leaves of ⁇ Laua'e Iki ⁇ while normal M. scolopendrium growing from similar starting material will have but 15 leaves.
  • the extended juvenile stage is an observed advantage for vegetative propagation as smaller leaves, rhizomes, and shorter internodes accelerate the growth sequence resulting in more plant divisions per unit of time and propagation area.
  • the cultivar ⁇ Laua'e Iki ⁇ has been observed under many environmental and growth situations without any indication of reversion to original type or further mutation into another form. It has been cultivated in small soil plots along with regular Laua'e for over two years with each cultivar remaining true to form. Over 100,000 have been observed in various stages of growth without recognizable reversion or further mutation, indicating the ⁇ Laua'e Iki ⁇ is genetically stable, and is neither common nor a recognized variant of the source plant, M. scolopendrium.
  • the new fern has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions.
  • the phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.
  • the following observations and comparisons describe plants grown in Paia, under conditions generally used in commercial practice.
  • Microsorium scolopendrium is illustrated by the accompanying Figures which depict the plant by the best possible color representation using color photography and compare it to the standard variety.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates the new dwarf variety (left) grown side-by-side with and under identical conditions as the standard variety (right). All plants are the same age.
  • FIG. 2 also illustrates the new dwarf variety (left) grown under identical conditions as the standard variety (right), with all plants being the same age. In this depiction rhizome morphology is also illustrated.
  • the leaf color of ⁇ Laua'e Iki ⁇ is virtually indistinguishable from the wild type. This is a very wide range of colors and does not include colors that may be obtained off the nursery benches under different nutritional or environmental conditions. Regular laua's has the same range of colors.
  • the new fern differs from the wild-type species Microsorium scolopendrium in the following characteristics.
  • Plants of the new fern are more compact but retain the vigorous growth rate, growth style and overall appearance of Microsorium scolopendrium.
  • Rhizome thickness of the new fern is about half that of normal Microsorium scolopendrium, with shorter rhizome spacing between fronds.
  • Frond length and stem thickness is less, by about half, on plants of the new fern relative to that of the species Microsorium scolopendrium.
  • the new fern of the present invention is a true dwarf variety of the species Microsorium scolopendrium, known informally as Laua'e.
  • the botanical classification for the new fern is Microsorium scolopendrium cultivar ⁇ Laua'e Iki ⁇ .
  • the new cultivar was discovered as a very rare mutation growing from otherwise normal rhizomes (runners).
  • Botanical classification Microsortium scolopendrium cultivar ⁇ Laua'e Iki. ⁇
  • Rooting habit Rhizomes are creeping and fibrous.
  • Height Average 12 to 18 inches, maximum observed height 24 inches.
  • Leaves One (1) per stem, simple, usually lobed.
  • Foliage Irregularly lobed in shape, one rachis per frond.
  • Leaf 5 to 12 inches in length, 1 to 6 inches in width.
  • Chart A compares characteristics of ⁇ Laua'e Iki ⁇ and M. scolopendrium against each other after cultivation under very similar conditions in four adjacent and alternating plots. Each of these, in turn, may be compared against an accepted description of M. scolopendrium (right column) copied from page 238 of The New Royal Horticultural Society Directory of Gardening.
  • a distinguishing feature of ⁇ Laua'e Iki ⁇ is its juvenile tendency to produce about double the number of juvenile lanceolate fronds that are about 1/2 to 3/4 the size of those produced by M. scolopendrium growing under the same conditions.
  • This juvenile tendency of ⁇ Laua'e Iki ⁇ persists after similar plants of M. colopendrium have moved into the adult stage with the production of deeply pinnatifid leaves.

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Natural Medicines & Medicinal Plants (AREA)
  • Botany (AREA)
  • Developmental Biology & Embryology (AREA)
  • Environmental Sciences (AREA)
  • Breeding Of Plants And Reproduction By Means Of Culturing (AREA)

Abstract

A Laua'e plant which is a true dwarf cultivar, wherein the various dimensions of the plant parts are proportionally smaller, but of substantially the same color and orientation as a standard Laua'e plant.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Laua'e named `Laua'e Iki`. Laua'e is an ornamental fern, Microsorium scolopendrium, of the family Polypodiaceae. Laua'e is primarily cultivated for use as ground cover, particularly in tropical regions such as Hawai'i.
The cultivar is in fact a dwarf wherein all of the usual elements of the known, standard (wild type) Laua'e fern are present but, with the exceptions of spore clusters and roots, are on a dwarf scale. Proportionally reduced or dwarfed to about 1/2 to 2/3 normal size are the leaves, stems and rhizomes.
The new cultivar was discovered in a cultivated area by the inventor in Paia, Maui, as a naturally occurring mutation of unknown origin in a population of about 10,000 Laua'e plants.
The discovery was occasioned by a distinctive growth habit whereby `Laua'e Iki` initially produces a very large number of small, juvenile, lanceolate leaves growing much closer together than is characteristic for M. scolopendrium. Through prolongation of the juvenile stage and more frequent leaf initiation, `Laua'e Iki` produces about double the number of leaves (albeit smaller) as a corresponding plant of M. scolopendrium. For example, a 1.75" by 2.5" by 3" container may contain 30 juvenile leaves of `Laua'e Iki` while normal M. scolopendrium growing from similar starting material will have but 15 leaves. The extended juvenile stage is an observed advantage for vegetative propagation as smaller leaves, rhizomes, and shorter internodes accelerate the growth sequence resulting in more plant divisions per unit of time and propagation area.
Asexual reproduction was accomplished by division of the rhizomatous rootstock at Paia. The reproduction of the variety has shown that the unique features of this new fern are stabilized and retained over eight successive generations, involving over 15,000 plants, of rhizome separation and planting. It is anticipated that other reproductive methods such as, for example, tissue culture, can also be suitably employed and are accordingly within the scope of the invention.
The cultivar `Laua'e Iki` has been observed under many environmental and growth situations without any indication of reversion to original type or further mutation into another form. It has been cultivated in small soil plots along with regular Laua'e for over two years with each cultivar remaining true to form. Over 100,000 have been observed in various stages of growth without recognizable reversion or further mutation, indicating the `Laua'e Iki` is genetically stable, and is neither common nor a recognized variant of the source plant, M. scolopendrium.
`Laua'e Iki` responds no differently than common laua'e to minor scale and aphid problems in the nursery. No other insect problems have been noted in nursery or field. No resistance or susceptibility to pathogens has been observed.
Due to its smaller size, it is expected that `Laua'e Iki` will be greatly preferred over the standard (wild type) laua'e plant for use as ornamental ground cover.
The new fern has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype. The following observations and comparisons describe plants grown in Paia, under conditions generally used in commercial practice.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The new variety of Microsorium scolopendrium is illustrated by the accompanying Figures which depict the plant by the best possible color representation using color photography and compare it to the standard variety.
FIG. 1 illustrates the new dwarf variety (left) grown side-by-side with and under identical conditions as the standard variety (right). All plants are the same age.
FIG. 2 also illustrates the new dwarf variety (left) grown under identical conditions as the standard variety (right), with all plants being the same age. In this depiction rhizome morphology is also illustrated.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT
As shown in the illustrations, the leaf color of `Laua'e Iki` is virtually indistinguishable from the wild type. This is a very wide range of colors and does not include colors that may be obtained off the nursery benches under different nutritional or environmental conditions. Regular laua's has the same range of colors. The new fern differs from the wild-type species Microsorium scolopendrium in the following characteristics.
1. Plants of the new fern are more compact but retain the vigorous growth rate, growth style and overall appearance of Microsorium scolopendrium.
2. Rhizome thickness of the new fern is about half that of normal Microsorium scolopendrium, with shorter rhizome spacing between fronds.
3. Frond length and stem thickness is less, by about half, on plants of the new fern relative to that of the species Microsorium scolopendrium.
4. Because of the difference in size and scale, equal growth rate in terms of new but smaller leaves results in a smaller plant and a slower rate of close-in. Most importantly, this translates into a lower height at any given stage of growth with mature height being only about half to two thirds that of normal Microsorium scolopendrium.
5. The smaller size of this new fern combined with its vigorous growth rate greatly increases the productivity in terms of plants per unit area of nursery space, an important consideration for commercial use.
As described herein and as illustrated in the drawing figures, the new fern of the present invention is a true dwarf variety of the species Microsorium scolopendrium, known informally as Laua'e. The botanical classification for the new fern is Microsorium scolopendrium cultivar `Laua'e Iki`. The new cultivar was discovered as a very rare mutation growing from otherwise normal rhizomes (runners).
Standard Microsorium scolopendrium grows to a height of three to four feet. For use as ornamental ground cover, however, a maximum adult height about half that (from about 18 to 24 inches) would be much more preferred. The new dwarf variety exhibits, under identical growing conditions, a growth rate and maximum size about half normal. For example, the drawings illustrate both dwarf and normal plants of the same age, about five months. The average height of the normal plants is about 26 inches, while the average height of the dwarf plant is about 14 inches. This difference is growth rate and ultimate plant size has been identified throughout the life cycle of the dwarf. While the rhizomes and fronds of the plant appear to be proportionally smaller in the new variety, the other morphological aspects appear identical, for example, color, shape, location and appearance of sori, etc.
Botanical classification: Microsortium scolopendrium cultivar `Laua'e Iki.`
Parentage: Naturally occurring sport or mutation of the species Microsorium scolopendria (Laua'e fern).
Origin: Mutation.
Form: Herbaceous.
Propagation: Rhizome separation.
Rooting habit: Rhizomes are creeping and fibrous.
Height: Average 12 to 18 inches, maximum observed height 24 inches.
Leaves: One (1) per stem, simple, usually lobed.
Stems: 2 to 12 inches.
Foliage: Irregularly lobed in shape, one rachis per frond.
Leaf: 5 to 12 inches in length, 1 to 6 inches in width.
Chart A compares characteristics of `Laua'e Iki` and M. scolopendrium against each other after cultivation under very similar conditions in four adjacent and alternating plots. Each of these, in turn, may be compared against an accepted description of M. scolopendrium (right column) copied from page 238 of The New Royal Horticultural Society Directory of Gardening.
              CHART A                                                     
______________________________________                                    
           COMPARATIVE OBSERVATIONS                                       
CHARACTERISTIC                                                            
             LAUA'E IKI    M. Scolopendrium                               
______________________________________                                    
RHIZOME                                                                   
HABIT           long-creeping, fleshy                                     
                                 long-creeping, fleshy                    
WIDTH           to 1 cm             to 1 cm                               
COLOR           green to brown                                            
                                   green to brown                         
SCALES         to 4 mm              to 5 mm                               
               caducous, ovate to                                         
                                   caducous, ovate to                     
               lanceolate or deltoid,                                     
                                lanceolate or deltoid,                    
               apex narrowly acute,                                       
                                  apex narrowly acute,                    
                clathrate, dark brown                                     
                                 clathrate, dark brown                    
FRONDS        to 28 × 18 cm, deeply                                 
                             to 53 × 27 cm, deeply                  
               pinnatifid, oblong to                                      
                            pinnatifid, oblong to                         
               ovate, base attenuate                                      
                            ovate, base attenuate                         
               and decurrent, or                                          
                             and decurrent, or                            
               rarely, simple,                                            
                             rarely, simple,                              
               lanceolate, smaller,                                       
                             lanceolate, smaller,                         
               leathery to papery,                                        
                             leathery to papery,                          
               glabrous, lustrous, lt.                                    
                            glabrous, lustrous, lt.                       
               green, seg. to 12 × 2.5                              
                            green, seg. to 18 × 3                   
                    cm, opposite to                                       
                              cm, opposite to                             
               rarely alternate, to 5                                     
                            rarely alternate, to 8                        
               pairs, spreading                                           
                             pairs, spreading                             
               lanceolate to linear,                                      
                            lanceolate to linear,                         
               oblong, or strap-                                          
                             oblong, or strap-                            
               shaped, apex                                               
                              shaped, apex                                
               narrowly acute to                                          
                             narrowly acute to                            
               obtuse, margin entire                                      
                            obtuse, margin entire                         
               to thickened and                                           
                             to thickened and                             
               somewhat falcate,                                          
                             somewhat falcate,                            
               terminal seg.                                              
                             terminal seg.                                
               Elongate                       Elongate                    
STIPES       to 30 cm, 10 cm                                              
              distant, glabrous,                                          
              lustrous, stamineous                                        
ROOTS        .5 mm         .5 mm                                          
SPOROPHORE   4 mm, orange-tan                                             
                           4 mm, orange-tan                               
SORI                       2 mm, orange-tanan                             
______________________________________                                    
                       T.N.R.H.S.D.O.G.                                   
           CHARACTERISTIC                                                 
                       M. scolopendrium                                   
______________________________________                                    
           RHIZOME                                                        
           HABIT          long-creeping, fleshy                           
           WIDTH          to 1 cm                                         
           COLOR          green to brown                                  
           SCALES        to 5 mm                                          
                         caducous, ovate to                               
                         lanceolate or deltoid,                           
                         apex narrowly acute,                             
                          clathrate, dark brown                           
           FRONDS        to 40 × 30 cm, deeply                      
                          pinnatifid, oblong to                           
                          ovate, base attenuate                           
                          and decurrent, or                               
                          rarely, simple,                                 
                          lanceolate, smaller,                            
                          leathery to papery,                             
                          glabrous, lustrous, lt.                         
                          green, seg. to 15 × 3                     
                          cm, opposite, to 5                              
                          pairs, spreading                                
                          lanceolate to linear,                           
                          oblong, or strap-                               
                          shaped, apex                                    
                          narrowly acute to                               
                          obtuse, margin entire                           
                          to thickened and                                
                          somewhat falcate,                               
                          terminal seg.                                   
                          Elongate                                        
           STIPES        to 30 cm, 8 cm                                   
                          distant, glabrous,                              
                          lustrous, stamineous                            
           ROOTS                                                          
           SPOROPHORE                                                     
           SORI                                                           
______________________________________
It will be noted from Chart A that the distinguishing, mature characteristics of `Laua'e Iki` are: reduction in rhizome diameter, reduction in size of fronds and pinnatifid pairs, reduction of stipe length, and reduction of height when compared under similar or identical growing conditions. Color is not a distinguishing factor as both `Laua'e Iki` and M. scolopendrium exhibit similar if not identical ranges of green leaf color that vary widely with nutrition, light intensity and possibly other factor. Colors of sporophores, spores, and other parts of the plants are also indistinguishable between the two cultivars when grown under similar conditions.
A distinguishing feature of `Laua'e Iki` is its juvenile tendency to produce about double the number of juvenile lanceolate fronds that are about 1/2 to 3/4 the size of those produced by M. scolopendrium growing under the same conditions. This juvenile tendency of `Laua'e Iki` persists after similar plants of M. colopendrium have moved into the adult stage with the production of deeply pinnatifid leaves.
Using the Pantone Book of Color, `Laua'e Iki` leaf colors could be matched to PANTONE 19-0323 through 16-0532 with many shades in between, and possibly some beyond. This is a very wide range of colors and does not include colors that may be obtained off the nursery benches under different nutritional or environmental conditions. Regular laua'e has the same range of colors.

Claims (1)

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:
1. A dwarf Laua'e plant, substantially as herein shown and described, characterized particularly by its proportionally dwarfed dimensions as compared with a standard Laua'e plant.
US08/975,373 1997-11-20 1997-11-20 Fern plant named `Laua'e Iki` Expired - Lifetime USPP11230P (en)

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Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USPP9238P (en) * 1994-10-06 1995-08-08 Milestone Agriculture, Inc. Maidenhair fern plant named `Bronze Venus`

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USPP9238P (en) * 1994-10-06 1995-08-08 Milestone Agriculture, Inc. Maidenhair fern plant named `Bronze Venus`

Non-Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening, Editor in Chief Anthony Huxley, The Stockton Press, New York, pp. 237, 238, 565, 1992. *
The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening, Editor-in-Chief Anthony Huxley, The Stockton Press, New York, pp. 237, 238, 565, 1992.

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