Sansevieria plant named ‘HANSOTI56’

Abstract

A new and distinct cultivar of Sansevieria plant named ‘HANSOTI56’ is disclosed, characterized highly variegated foliage with an overall bright creamy yellow coloration of the leaf and a contrasting, broad central greyish-green band. The new cultivar can be classified in the Compact Sansevieria Group type Sansevieria and reaches about 25 to 30 cm in height at maturity, making it a shorter cultivar in this group. Plants are ready to sell in about 3 to 4 months from a rooted liner, having 10 to 15 leaves. Foliage is softer, thinner and more pliable than typical in the Compact Sansevieria Group. The new variety is a Sansevieria, typically produced as an ornamental plant.

Description

Latin name of the genus and species: Sansevieria trifasciata.

Variety denomination: ‘HANSOTI56’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Sansevieria plant, botanically known as Sansevieria trifasciata, of the family Asparagaceae, hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘HANSOTI56’.

Sansevieria is a monocotyledonous plant with fleshy, succulent leaves which are available in a huge range of species, varieties and cultivars as an outdoor ornamental plant (under tropical conditions) or as indoor plants.

The new Sansevieria ‘HANSOTI56’ was discovered and selected by the inventor, Ashish Hansoti, in mid-2018, from several aberrant golden leaved mutant side-shoots arising from plants of Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Hansoti23’, now commercially called ‘HiColor’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 33,150), at a nursery in Village Vangani, District Thane, Maharashtra State in Western India.

The cultivar ‘HiColor’, as with many highly variegated plants, gives the occasional highly variegated or entirely albino shoot-in this case these “albino” shoots are golden colored. The inventor selected, from these highly variegated side shoots, single strong shoots with significant green leaf centers that were self-sustaining and healthy. Subsequent strict selection of appropriately colored shoots with discarding of non-standard and albino shoots gave rise to a new, highly colored yet stable cultivar now denominated as ‘Hansoti56’. By mid-2019 we had the new cultivar isolated and coming true from side shoots and growing strongly (given the highly variegated nature of this new selection).

Bulking up by asexual reproduction of the new Sansevieria cultivar ‘Hansoti56’ by vegetative side shoot cuttings was performed throughout 2020, 2021 and 2022 at Village Asle, District Satara, Maharashtra State in Western India, and it was seen that the distinctive combination of characteristics of the new cultivar reproduced true to type as long as the propagation was done through side shoots (basal suckers) originating from the base of the parent plant. Thus, it can be said that the new cultivar now reproduces true to type through side shoots (basal suckers).

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘HANSOTI56’, which in combination distinguish this Sansevieria as a new and distinct cultivar:

• • 1. Highly variegated foliage with an overall bright creamy yellow coloration of the leaf and a contrasting, broad central greyish-green band. Overall, ‘Hansoti56’ is one of the most brightly colored Sansevieria hybrids known to the inventor.
  • 2. Bright creamy yellow marginal band of 3 to 10 mm wide, equally wide on both edges of each leaf.
  • 3. At 25 to 30 cm plant height above pot, this is one of the smaller or shorter cultivars amongst the Sansevieria nominated as “Compact Sansevieria Group”.
  • 4. Ready to sell, 3 to 4 month (from rooted liner) old plants have 10 to 15 leaves per plant which is relatively high compared to other Sansevieria in the “Compact Sansevieria Group”. This gives a more bushy, full plant compared to other Sansevieria in the “Compact Sansevieria Group”. As a commercial pot plant this cultivar may be grown as a two Plants per Pot (2PP) plant for even more fuller look.
  • 5. Relatively softer, thinner, more pliable leaves. In comparison, most Sansevieria in the Compact Group have thicker, more stiff leaves that break more easily.

The new variety ‘HANSOTI56’ is considered a variety of Sansevieria in the group denominated as the “Compact Sansevieria Group”. The new variety presents with numerous leaves-12 to 15 leaves per plant-when it reaches saleable size (between 3 to 4 months from rooted liner). The new variety has an erect growth habit and the entire plant can reach a height range between 25 and 35 cm. The leaves are of narrow width (from 2 to 4 cm, occasionally 5 cm wide measured at the widest part of the mature leaf under good growing conditions) and lanceolate or ensiform, erect but with a graceful curvature and a waxy texture. The blades are somewhat thick or fleshy but much less so than similar “Compact Group of Sansevieria”. This variety also has an inverted triangle shape like most Sansevieria of the Compact Group.

The new variety is moderately drought tolerant and adapts well to conditions of bright light and moderate shade (exterior and interior).

The leaves show a bright variegated coloration. Each leaf has a bright border of creamy yellow. This base creamy color is near RHS Yellow 5A. This bright creamy yellow marginal band is equally broad on both sides of the leaf and varies in width from just 3 mm to 10 mm.

The central broad grey-green band, 20 to 30 mm wide, shows green colorations or striations varying from a dark green similar to RHS Green 136A to a lighter color similar to Green N138C.

Superimposed on this central green band are lighter horizontal cross-banding (typical of most broad leaved Sansevieria including S. t. ‘Futura Superba’, not patented) but this banding is seen only on the green central band and absent or essentially invisible on the creamy edge bands. The central green band also has random thin longitudinal streaks of yellowish cream, adding to the overall brightness of this exceptional new cultivar.

Backside or abaxial surface of the leaves are similarly colored with a wider central green band and narrower marginal creamy band. At the back of the leaf the central green band has even more streaks of yellowish cream invading the green compared to the front of the leaf. The basal ¼^th of the back side of each leaf is more or less entirely golden yellow.

Attached color pictures are a better guide to the overall coloration than written descriptions.

PARENTAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new Sansevieria ‘HANSOTI56’ are similar to plants of the parental cultivar, however, ‘HANSOTI56’ differs in the characteristics described in Table I.

TABLE I
Comparison of Parental & the New variety ‘Hansoti56’
		Parent Cultivar
	Charac-	‘Hansoti23’ U.S.
	teristic	Plant Pat. 33150	New cv ‘Hansoti56’
1.	Leaf size	25-30 cm long and up to	25-35 cm long but
		6 cm wide.	narrower - 2 to 4 cm
			wide.
2.	Number of	10 to 12 leaves	12 to 15 leaves
	leaves		(more than parent
			cultivar)
3.	Leaf	Leaves held more spread	Leaves more
	Arrangement	out, so clump of leaves	vertically held, so a
		more open.	narrower clump
3.	Variegation	More complex	Simple variegation
	Pattern	variegation with bright	pattern- Bright
		cream with bright green	Yellowish Cream
		bands of various widths	border along leaf
		giving a bright,	edge with central
		variegated appearance.	broad band of grey-
			green.
4.	Border	Bright green border 2 to	Bright yellowish
	variegation	10 mm with obvious,	cream border 3 to
		prominent transverse	10 mm wide on
		banding.	both sides with no
			transverse banding.
5.	Central	Broad green band, 3 to 4	2 to 3 cm wide
	Variegation	cm wide, consisting of	green central band
		light and dark green	with lighter green/
		streaks with bright	creamy yellow
		yellow variegation on	streaks and sub-
		both sides of this band,	dued but obvious
		between this central band	transverse banding.
		and marginal bands of
		green.

‘Hansoti56’ is therefore substantially different looking cultivar compared to the parent ‘Hansoti23’ except that both are of somewhat short stature, with leaves held more vertically and softer leaves than the typical Sansevieria of the ‘Compact Sansevieria Group’. The variety ‘Hansoti23’ gave rise to the variety ‘Hansoti56’ (after considerable selection of appropriately colored, strong growing shoots). This S. trifasciata ‘Hansoti23’ is also part of the “Compact Sansevieria Group” but has broader, more complexly colored and patterned leaves.

COMMERCIAL COMPARATOR

Plants of the new Sansevieria ‘HANSOTI56’ are similar to the commercial variety Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Gold Flame’, unpatented. Plants of the new Sansevieria ‘HANSOTI56’ differ from plants of the commercial cultivar in the characteristics described in Table II.

TABLE II
Comparison of comparable variety ‘S. t. ‘Gold Flame’ & the new
variety ‘Hansoti56’
	Charac-	Comparable cv S. t. ‘Gold
	teristic	Flame’ (unpatented)	New cv ‘Hansoti56’
1.	Leaf size	25 to 35 cm long	25 to 35 cm long
2.	Number of	6 to 8 leaves (Fewer)	12 to 15 leaves
	leaves		(More leaves)
3.	Variegation	Variegation pattern is very	Variegation pattern
	Pattern	variable and changes with leaf	is very stable with
		age; mature, highly colored	central green band
		plants show large areas of	and marginal
		golden yellow variegation on	creamy yellow
		the leaves. Pattern is relatively	bands.
		random.	The green central
		Some transverse banding seen	band has transverse
		on top surface where the leaf is	banding on top as
		green but seen prominently on	well as bottom
		bottom surface.	surfaces of the leaf.
	Variegation	Under good light and nutrition,	Under good light
	Color	the variegation color is a deep	and nutrition, the
		Golden yellow	variegation color is
			a lighter creamy
			yellow
4.	Border	2 to 15 mm wide golden band	Stable border of
	variegation	along leaf edge which, with	creamy yellow 3 to
		increasing leaf maturity,	10 mm wide with
		expands to eventually cover	no transverse
		most or even all of the leaf.	banding.
		Backside of leaf has more
		distinct yellow border.
5.	Central	Variegation typically starts as a	The leaf has a
	Variegation	small marking in center of the	broad central band
		top half of the leaf and expands,	of green with
		in leaves of increasing maturity,	streaks of lighter
		to cover most of the leaf.	green and
		In older plants under high light	occasional streaks
		new leaves can come out almost	of creamy yellow
		entirely yellow gold.	within this green
			band. Transverse-
			banding (typical
			of Sansevieria
			trifasciata) seen
			on green band.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Sansevieria cultivar ‘HANSOTI56’ showing the colors as true as is reasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color value cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the color of ‘HANSOTI56’.

These pictures illustrate the plant form which is the unique characteristic of ‘HANSOTI56’ and at the same time demonstrates that plant coloration and variegation pattern is similar to several other Sansevieria trifasciata cultivars. All plants were grown in an open poly house (high tunnel) at Village Asle, District Satara, Maharashtra State in Western India. Average temperature in Asle is 25° C. with summer highs of 39° C. and winter lows of 6° C. Plants grow under natural light conditions and between 30% to 75% shade levels depending on the season (higher shade in hot summer conditions). These conditions closely approximate those used in commercial practice in India.

FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3: Show a single plant, ready-to-sell size of Sansevieria ‘Hansoti56’ in a 12 cm diameter pot from various angles to illustrate leaf shape and color, leaf phyllotaxy.

• • Specifically, FIG. 1 is a top down view illustrating the variegation pattern and color. The relatively narrow leaves are obvious.
  • FIG. 2 is an angled view from above, also showing the variegation pattern and color.
  • FIG. 3 is a side view, illustrating the underside of the foliage, as well as the characteristic curve of the foliage.

FIG. 4, FIG. 5 and FIG. 6: Show 6 plants of ‘Hansoti56’ in a tray, several plants together show the uniformity achieved by this cultivar in plant form, leaf shape and color as well as variegation pattern.

FIG. 7, FIG. 8 and FIG. 9: These three pictures show the three cultivars cited in this patent application together, photographed under same light conditions so visual comparisons are valid.

• • FIG. 7 shows the new cultivar Hansoti56 (Top) showing buttery yellowish-cream borders and light grey-green central band with occasional lines of cream and light green and showing subtle horizontal banding. The patented parent cultivar ‘Hansoti23’ (Bottom Left) showing broader leaves than Hansoti56 and more complex variegation pattern but still a relatively large number of leaves. Finally, the old, well-known cultivar ‘Gold Flame’ (Bottom Right) representing the classic “Compact Sansevieria Group” showing bigger, broader, more robust leaves and fewer leaves. The variegation pattern of the three cultivars, though all in the cream/yellowish/gold yellow range, is distinctly different from each other.
  • FIG. 8 Parent ‘Hansoti23’ (left), the new ‘Hansoti56’ (center) and ‘Gold Flame’ (right). Both, the parent ‘Hansoti23’ and the new cultivar ‘Hansoti56’ show a higher number of leaves per rosette compared to old standard “Compact Sansevieria Group” cultivars.
  • FIG. 9 illustrates the same three cultivars from a side view. Larger number of leaves per rosette, more vertical orientation and narrow but gracefully curving leaves of Hansoti56 (Center) are obvious.

FIG. 10 shows individual leaves (adaxial surface view) of Sansevieria ‘Hansoti56’ (Centre), the parental patented variety ‘Hansoti23’ (Top row) and leaves of Sansevieria ‘Gold Flame’ (Bottom Row) shown together to show the differences in variegation pattern and colour. For ‘Gold Flame’ we present three leaves at different colour stages-leaves on young plants start out quite green and with age they lose the green colour to become more and more gold. Here the youngest leaf is on left and progressively older leaves to the right of that stack

FIG. 11: shows the backside (abaxial surface) of the same individual leaves shown in FIG. 10.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Sansevieria ‘HANSOTI56’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, fertilizer levels and composition and day length without any change in the genotype of the plant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the following observations, measurements and values describe the new Sansevieria cultivar ‘HANSOTI56’ plants grown in an open poly house (high tunnel) at Village Asle, District Satara, Maharashtra State in Western India. Average temperature in Asle is 25° C., with summer highs of 39° C. and winter lows of 6° C. Plants grow under natural light conditions and between 30% to 75% shade levels depending on the season (higher shade in hot summer conditions).

This crop gets nearly constant fertilization to increase production. Controlled release fertilizer of 13:11:11 Type 360-days release at 1 kilo/cubic meter of media, constant liquid feed at approximately 100 ppm N, 20 ppm P and 100 ppm K, along with complete micronutrients. Production is closely related with proper and complete plant nutrition and an open soilless growing media based on coconut coir. The plants are grown in plastic pots on metal benching in spacing trays.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), (April 2009) except where general colors of ordinary significance are used.

The photographs and descriptions were taken during the winter season in Asle, District Satara, Maharashtra State, India when outdoor day temperature was 25° C. to 30° C. and cool nights, usually of 10° C. to 15° C. The age of the plants described is 3-4 months from rooted liners.

• Botanical classification: Sansevieria trifasciata ‘HANSOTI56’.
• General information:
  • • Parentage.—Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Hansoti23’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 33,150.
    • Optimal growth conditions.—
    • Light intensities.—Good adaptability to outdoor (in tropical regions) or indoor conditions.
    • Temperature.—Day: 25° C. to 35° C. Night: 15° C. to 25° C.
    • Temperature tolerance.—Tolerant to a low temperature of about 8° C. and a high temperature of 38° C. and above-very heat tolerant.
    • Fertilization.—Constant feed of 100 ppm N, 30 ppm P and 100 ppm K is used along with micronutrients with occasional leaching.
    • Growth regulators.—Not necessary for growth, however rooting hormone aids in rapid and prolific rooting of offsets.
• Propagation:
  • • Typical.—Vegetative, by side suckers which come true to type. Does not come true from leaf cuttings.
    • Rooting habit and description.—Rhizomes are elongated, fleshy, giving rise to offsets (side shoots). Offsets root easily with fibrous adventitious roots from cut end. Rooting hormone helps in faster and more prolific rooting. Colored cream to brown, not accurately measured with R.H.S. chart.
    • Time to initiate roots.—25 to 30 days at 25°° C. to 30° C.
    • Time to produce a rooted liner.—About 45 to 50 days at 25° C. to 30° C.
    • Time to produce ready 12 cm potted plant from liner.—About 3 months at 25° C. to 30° C.
• Plant:
  • • General appearance and form.—Monocot; leaf bases arranged in a rosette around growth point.
    • Height.—About 25 to 30 cm when grown in 12 cm pots.
    • Spread.—About 20 to 25 cm when grown when grown in a 12 cm size container.
    • Growth rate and habit.—Medium growth rate compared to other similar Sansevieria; upright.
    • Shape.—Inverted triangle.
    • Fragrance.—None.
    • Stem.—Modified (rhizomes with erect foliage).
    • Rosette height.—About 25 to 30 cm height from top of pot when grown in 12 cm size container.
    • Rosette diameter.—About 15 to 20 cm.
    • Texture.—Smooth, waxy.
    • Color.—As described above.
    • Strength.—Strong and durable.
    • Internode length.—About 1 to 2 mm.
• Foliage:
  • • Quantity.—About 12 to 15 leaves at saleable stage or more with age.
    • Arrangement and attachment.—Single, alternate; leaf bases arranged stiffly in a rosette around central growth point.
    • Leaf length.—About 25 to 35 cm.
    • Leaf width.—About 4 cm.
    • Overall shape of leaf.—Lanceolate.
    • Apex shape.—Acute, triangular and aristate, with soft tip.
    • Base shape.—Plane.
    • Margin.—Sharp, smooth.
    • Texture.—Upper Surface: Smooth and waxy texture.
    • Texture.—Under Surface: Smooth and waxy texture.
    • Pubescence.—None.
    • Color of mature leaf.—Upper Surface: Basal cream colored border bands near 5A with dark central band varying from RHS Green 136A to lighter bands near Green N138C — exact shade difficult to pinpoint because overlying cream color tissue veils the central green band.
    • Crossbanding.—only on the central green band, as typical for many Sansevieria but somewhat less prominent.
    • Venation pattern.—Longitudinal/parallel.
    • Leaf fragrance.—None.
• Other:
  • • Inflorescence description.—Flowers not observed to date.
    • Weather resistance.—Moderately drought tolerant.
    • Pest resistance.—Reasonably resistant to pests, susceptible to root mealybugs (Rhizoecus pritchardi). Typical pests include Pseudococcidae longispinus and Tetranychus urticae.
    • Disease resistance.—Occasionally shows Anthracnose and leaf spots but largely disease-free from clean mother stock and appropriate disease mitigation measures undertaken.
    • Fruit/seed production.—No fruits/seeds detected to date.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Sansevieria plant named ‘HANSOTI56’ as herein illustrated and described.