Cactaceae plant named `Avalon`

Abstract

A new and distinct plant variety of the Cactaceae family arising as a spontaneous mutation of Hatiora×graeseri `Evita`, is distinguishable from its progenitor and related varieties by its larger flowers, larger pollen grains, larger and thicker phylloclades, reduced branching, and a flower longevity of about 8 days. The new variety is a stable periclinal cytochimera with a diploid epidermis and tetraploid subepidermis. The new variety exhibits greater resistance to stem breakage due to its more robust phylloclades.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A new and distinct variety of Easter cactus as shown and described and which is principally distinguished by the following characteristics: a) phylloclades that are longer and wider than those of its progenitor;   b) a more erect, stiffer plant that is less prone to stem breakage than its progenitor;   c) a plant that exhibits less branching compared to its progenitor, with comparisons made on either pruned or unpruned plants;   d) flowers that are considerably larger (about 6.7 cm in diameter) compared to those of its progenitor (about 5.6 cm in diameter); and   e) flowers that remain open about 8 days, which is about 3 to 4 days less than those of its progenitor.