Patent Grant
PP36812
Latin name of the genus and species of the claimed plant: Sansevieria aubrytiana.
Variety denomination:
The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Sansevieria plant, botanically known as Sansevieria aubrytiana, of the family Asparagaceae, hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘ZEBRA’.
Sansevieria is a monocotyledonous flowering plant which can be produced in either hard-leafed or soft-leafed varieties for interior use as a house plant or outdoors ornamental plant.
The new Sansevieria ‘ZEBRA’, originated from a naturally occurring mutation of the Sansevieria ‘Lauren’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 29,489 P2). The new Sansevieria ‘ZEBRA’ was discovered and selected by the inventor, Marvin Gonzalez Villegas, as a single sprouting rare, mutation in a ‘Lauren’ plantation in a controlled environment in Monterrey, San Carlos, Alajuela Province, Costa Rica.
Asexual reproduction of the new Sansevieria cultivar by vegetative cuttings was first performed in July 2022 in Monterrey, San Carlos, Alajuela Province, Costa Rica, and has 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 observed repeatedly and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘ZEBRA’, which in combination distinguish this Sansevieria as a new and distinct cultivar:
The new variety ‘ZEBRA’ presents an average of 5-7 leaves per plant when it reaches its maturity (between 6-9 months). The new variety has an erect growth habit, and the entire plant can reach a height between 65-80 cm. The leaves are narrow, 5-6 cm (average measured at the widest part of the mature leaf) and lanceolate with a soft waxy texture. The plant has a cylindrical shape.
The new variety is moderately drought tolerant, adapts to conditions of light and shade, and shows resistance to anthracnose (Colletotrichum sansevieria) disease.
Plants of the new Sansevieria ‘ZEBRA’ differ from plants of the parental cultivar, ‘Lauren’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 29,489 P2) in the characteristics described in Table 1.
Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor, the most similar in comparison to the new Sansevieria ‘ZEBRA’ is its parent, Sansevieria ‘Lauren’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 29,489 P2) in the characteristics described in Table 1.
Plants of the new Sansevieria ‘ZEBRA’ differ from plants of the Competitor Plant ‘Wintergreen’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 24,939 P3) in the characteristics described in Table 2.
Of the many commercial competitors known to the present inventor, the most similar in comparison to the new Sansevieria ‘ZEBRA’ is ‘Wintergreen’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 24,939 P3) in the characteristics described in Table 2.
The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Sansevieria cultivar ‘ZEBRA’ 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 ‘ZEBRA’.
The new Sansevieria ‘ZEBRA’ 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 photographs, together with the following observations, measurements and values describe the new Sansevieria cultivar ‘ZEBRA’ as grown in open field conditions in Monterrey, San Carlos, Alajuela province, Costa Rica, which closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice. ‘ZEBRA’ was grown in tropical lowlands in Costa Rica with day lengths of 12 to 13 hours and ambient temperature to 85 degrees. The level of relative humidity was 80%. No supplementary artificial light is necessary.
This crop does not require constant fertilization, to increase production per area about 200 kg ha-1 N, 150 kg ha-1 of P and 100 kg-ha K are required, the production is closely related with soil conditions in which they are grown.
Color references are made to The 2018 Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), except where general colors of ordinary significance are used. The photographs and descriptions were taken during the rainy season in Monterrey, San Carlos, Alajuela province, Costa Rica, with outdoor day temperatures of 24.5° C. during the day and 18° C. at night. The age of the plants described is 8 months.
