USPP3396P - Distinct variety of philodendron plant - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 18, 1973 oco E Plant Pat. 3,396

DISTINCT VARIETY OF PHILODENDRON PLANT Filed April 10, 1972 United States Patent 3,396 DISTINCT VARIETY OF PHILODENDRON PLANT Robert H. McColley, P.O. Box 17126, Orlando, Fla. 32810 Filed Apr. 10, 1972, Ser. No. 242,844 Int. Cl. A01h 5/00 US. Cl. Plt.88 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The disclosure hereof is of a Philodendron plant of compact form, having leathery leaves which in their immature stage are of a greyish brown, and maturing become olive grey, producing a general two-color elfect which in dark conditions is almost black.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION My present invention comprises a new and distinct variety of Philodendron plant which is the result of selfing a seedling selected from a cross of the Philodendrons wendlana'ii, hastatum, erubescens, imbe, and an unnamed species, and in turn selling a seedling of this cross.

I have conducted an extensive program of hybridizing, a good deal of which has been directed to the endeavor to develop a tough, leathery Philodendron which is compact, an excellent keeper and as nearly black as possible. This Philodendron of the instant invention is the closest approach which I have been able to develop to the present time.

My new variety has been asexually reproduced by single eye and tip cuttings in the vicinity of Orlando, Fla., and has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics through successive asexual reproduction.

The new variety has been exposed to adverse conditions in various sections of the United States, including California, Illinois, New Jersey and Florida, and has been able to provide superior foliage and thus a superior foliage plant in every instance.

My new variety is distinctive from other Philodendrons in cultivation and is not described by Graf, Bailey or Das Pfianzenreich. It is therefore only compared with the patented Philodendron of Patent No. 3034 to indicate differences residing therebetween.

My new variety is visually distinguished by the following characteristics of the leaf, including an ovate form with cordate leaf base and a cuspidate leaf tip.

The leaves include pinnate veination, having smooth midribs with sunken veins.

An undulate surface prevails with the width of the leaves being about three-quarters of their length.

The plant itself is one Which grows in very dense form, having alternate petioles which are from one-half to two thirds the length of the leaf.

The petioles are horizontal to semi-erect, and the leaves horizontal to slightly pendant with internodes /2" to 1 /2".

Probably one of the most distinctive aspects of the plant is that of the color of the leaves and the general impression created thereby, which leaves, petioles and stem are a greyish brown, appearing almost black in medium to low light intensity. As the leaves mature after a period of six months, for example, they turn to olive grey.

Certain of the physical characteristics of the plant of my new variety which are of value in the commercial field, are the fact that the plant will withstand extremely low light intensity and low soil moisture content for weeks. Actually a low humidity and high temperatures ice are not particularly troublesome to the keeping of the plants under virtually all conditions.

The leaves are very thick, rubbery and withstand bruising and dehydration without wilting.

The diseases to which the plant is resistant include bacterial soft rot and it is almost immune to shot gun fungus.

The aspect of the plant in respect to growth, is noticeably different from others and in its mature form, it is a very compact grower and does not require staking. The juvenile form of plant is a slow growing vine and makes an ideal totem pole.

Indoor growing of the plant is not harmful, since it retains its desired form and size longer than varieties currently available.

The following detailed specifications are based on observations made in my greenhouse in Orlando, Fla.

The accompanying drawing forming a part of this disclosure, shows a typical plant of my new variety, the colors being as nearly true as possible with color illustrations of this type. Color references are made to the Nickerson Color Fan published by Munsell Color Company, with observations being recorded by day-light illumination under vinyl of not more than 30% shade.

(I) Form characteristics: (1) Leaf shape:

(a) Mature Ovate. (b) Immature Ovate. (0) Tip Cuspidate. (d) Base:

1) Mature Cordate. (2) Immature Obtuse. (e) Displacement Undulate. (f) Margin Entire. (g) Veination Smooth midrib; sunken veins. (2) Leaf attachment Stalked. (3) Leaf arrangement Alternate; horizontal to slightly pendant. (4) Petiole Short; horizontal to semi-erect. (5) Stem Short; heavy internodes /2" to 1%". (6) Overall appearance Dense.

(II) Size characteristics of typical commercial size:

(1) Leaf itself: Inches (a) Width-widest point 5-10 (b) Width-1" from tip 1 /2 (c) Length 8-14 (d) Thickness .016 (2) Petiole:

(a) Length 4 /2-9 (b) Diameter (center) Mt- /Z (c) Internode spacing A-l (d) Stern diameter %-1 /& (III) Color characteristics: (1) Leaf (mature):

(a) Top 10Y 3/1 (b) Bottom IOYR 3/1 (2) Leaf (immature):

(a) Top 7.5YR 3/2 (b) Bottom 2.5YR 3/3 (3) Leaf veination:

(a) Midrib 10R 3/4 (b) Veins 10R 3/4 (4) Stem, darker 2.5R 3/7 (5) Petiole, darker 2.5R 3/7 3 4 Iclaim: greyish brown color of immature leaves and olive grey 1. A new and distinct variety of Philodendron plant, color of those leaves Whlch are more maturesubstantially as herein disclosed, characterized as to novelty by its compact form, tough, leathery leaves, excellent keeping qualities and slow growth indoors, the 5 ROBERT E. BAGWILL, Primary Examiner No references cited.

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