Patent Grant
PP24483
Latin name of the genus and species of the claimed plant: Sansevieria trifasciata.
Variety denomination: ‘Twister’.
The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Sansevieria plant, botanically known as Sansevieria trifasciata, of the family Ruscaceae, hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘Twister’.
Sansevieria is a monocotyledonous and succulent, flowering plant which can be produced in either hard-leafed or soft-leafed varieties for interior use as a house plant or outdoor ornamental plant.
The new Sansevieria ‘Twister’ was discovered and selected by Mr. Marvin Gonzalez Villegas, as a single flowering plant within a planting of ‘Black Gold Superba’ at Monterrey, San Carlos, Alajuela province, Costa Rica in 2004. It originated as a naturally-occurring mutation of the Sansevieria variety ‘Black Gold Superba’ (unpatented).
Asexual reproduction of the new Sansevieria cultivar by vegetative cuttings was first performed in November 2004 in Monterrey, San Carlos, Alajuela, Costa Rica, and demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction. The new cultivar reproduces true to type.
The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘Twister’, which in combination distinguish this Sansevieria as a new and distinct cultivar:
The new variety ‘Twister’ is considered a variety of Sansevieria in the group denominated as “compact Sansevieria plants”. The new variety presents an average of 7 leaves per plant when it reaches its maturity (between 8-10 months). The new variety has an erect growth habit and the entire plant can reach a height range between 35 and 45 cm. The leaves are narrow (5.5 cm average measured at the widest part of the mature leaf) and lanceolate with a soft, waxy texture. The blades are thin and slightly wavy. This variety also has an inverted triangle shape like the other Sansevierias of the compact group, but ‘Twister’ also has a swirl shape. The new variety is moderately drought tolerant and adapts well to conditions of light and shade (interior and exterior).
The leaves show a variegated coloration, with horizontal and alternate bands. In immature leaves these bands have a very pale green (RHS 130D) and deep yellowish-green coloration (141A RHS). The band coloration in the mature leaves becomes moderate yellowish-green (RHS 149B and 149D) within the same deep yellowish green (141A RHS) coloration.
The leaves have margins on both sides of the blade with an average width of 1.5 cm. The margins, which are irregular, show variegated coloration, with alternating brilliant yellowish green (RHS 154B) and light yellowish green (154D RHS) horizontal bands. The leaf blades are deep yellowish green (RHS 141A) colored in the surface of the leaf and also present non-uniform horizontal variegated bands of yellow-green (RHS 149D and RHS 149B) on both sides of some leaves.
Plants of the new Sansevieria ‘Twister’ differ from plants of the parental cultivar ‘Black Gold Superba’ (unpatented) in the characteristics described in Table 1.
The variety ‘Black Gold Superba’ gave rise to the var. ‘Twister’. The ‘Black Gold Superba’ variety is also considered part of the “compact Sansevieria group”. ‘Black Gold Superba’ shows less vigor than ‘Twister’, has fewer leaves per plant (3-4), with an average leaf width of 6.5 cm (measured in the middle of the mature leaf.) The growth habit is erect and presents wide leaves supported in a rosette. The entire plant can reach a size between 30-40 cm. The plant has, as for ‘Twister’, an inverted triangle shape. The leaves are lanceolate with a soft, waxy texture. The younger leaves show a yellowish green vivid coloration (RHS 134A) in the interior of the leaf blade. This area shows also irregular streaks or yellowish-green bands (RHS 142D) and there are margins in both sides of the leaf which are variegated with irregular horizontal bands that alternate between light yellowish green (RHS 142D) broad bands and brilliant yellowish green (RHS 149A) thin bands. When the leaf is mature the deep color inside turns yellowish green (RHS 141B), while margins alternate vivid greenish yellow (RHS 2A) and light-yellowish green (RHS 2C) colors.
Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor, the most similar in comparison to the new Sansevieria ‘Twister’ characteristics is the Sansevieria ‘Laurentii’ (unpatented), described in Table 2.
The variety ‘Laurentii’ does not belong to the “compact Sansevieria group”, but is considered to be part of the “long leaf Sansevieria group”. ‘Laurentii’ shows more vigor with a height ranging between 35-64 cm. ‘Laurentii’ produces 2-4 leaves per plant with an average leaf width of 6 cm (measured in the middle of the mature leaf.).
‘Laurentii’ shows a coloration very similar to the new variety ‘Twister’, but the main difference between the varieties is the swirl shape of ‘Twister’.
The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Sansevieria cultivar ‘Twister’ 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 ‘Twister’.
The new Sansevieria ‘Twister’ 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, 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 ‘Twister’ as grown in an open field in Monterrey, San Carlos de Alajuela province, Costa Rica, under conditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice. Average temperature at Monterrey is 24.5° C. during the day and 18° C. at night. Plants grow under natural light conditions.
This crop does not require constant fertilization, however, to increase production per area about 200 kg ha−1 N, 150 kg ha−1 of P and 100 kg ha−1 K are required. Production is closely related with soil conditions in which the plants are grown.
Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S. April 2009). The photographs and descriptions were taken during the rainy season in Monterrey, San Carlos, Alajuela province, Costa Rica when outdoor day temperature was 23° C. The age of the plants described is 8 months.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20130191952 P1 | Jul 2013 | US |
