Cactaceae plant

Abstract

A new and distinct plant variety of the Cactaceae family provides specimens that combine an upright, compact growth habit with a faster growth rate and a greater natural tendency to branch and produce a larger number of phylloclades without inducement by pruning than the `Lavender Doll` and `Kris Kringle` varieties of the truncatus species. The new variety provides specimens with phylloclades which are usually smaller in width and length dimensions than those of the `Lavender Doll` variety. The specimens of the new plant variety have a substantially greater resistance to flower bud abscission than exhibited by the `Lavender Doll` and `Kris Kringle` varieties and also have resistances to nutrient deficiencies and fungus type diseases that are comparable to such varieties. The bloom usually occurs later in the growing season than that of the `Lavender Doll` variety and it has a life of from about 6 to about 9 days. The tube laminating and tube forming tepals are characterized by marginal blade areas that in color are dominated by reddish purple and purplish red hues which penetrate deeply into the center field areas of the blades to provide a magenta appearing bloom coloration. The perianth tube is characterized by randomly arranged streaks or striations which in color are dominated by purplish pink hues and the variety is characterized by a degenerate carina that appears as a generally superior extension at the throat of the perianth tube. The style of the new variety is also commonly longer than those of the `Lavender Doll` and `Kris Kringle` varieties.

We claim: 
     
       1. The new and distinct plant variety of the Cactaceae family as described and illustrated and which has a growth habit providing specimens that combine the following principal distinguishing characteristics: 1. Upright, compact appearing specimens that in comparison to the `Lavender Doll` and `Kris Kringle` varieties have a faster growth rate with a greater natural tendency to branch and produce a larger number of phylloclades without inducement by pruning during the growth period prior to blooming,   2. Phylloclades with commonly smaller width and length dimensions than those of the `Lavender Doll` variety,   3. A substantially greater resistance to flower bud abscission than the `Lavender Doll` and `Kris Kringle` varieties and resistances to nutrient deficiencies and fungus type diseases that are comparable to those of the `Lavender Doll` and `Kris Kringle` varieties, and   4. A bloom which commonly occurs from about 1 week to 3 weeks later than those of the `Lavender Doll` variety and has a. A bloom life of from about 6 to about 9 days,   b. tube laminating and tube forming tepals with marginal blade areas that in color are dominated by reddish purple and/or purplish red hues which penetrate deeply into the center field areas of the tepal blades,   c. A perianth tube with a basic field that is translucent white and provided with randomly arranged, longitudinally extending streaks that in color are dominated by purplish pink hues,   d. A carina which has degenerated to a generally superior extension of the perianth tube, and   e. A style that is generally longer than those of the `Lavender Doll` and `Kris Kringle` varieties.