Cactaceae plant

Abstract

A new and distinct variety of the Cactaceae family is related to the Zygocactus truncatus `Kris Kringle` and Zygocactus truncatus `Lavender Doll` varieties provides specimens with a natural tendency to branch during the growth period preceding blooming without the need for inducement by pruning. The specimens have a fast growth rate which provides an upright, compact appearance and wherein the phylloclades have generally shorter midribs than those of the `Lavender Doll` variety and generally thicker teeth than those of the `Kris Kringle` variety. The specimens exhibit resistances to nutrient deficiencies, fungus type diseases and flower bud abscission that are comparable to those of the `Kris Kringle` and `Lavender Doll` variety and the flower appears later than that of the `Kris Kringle` variety and has a bloom life of from about 6 to about 9 days. The flower hues are red, pink, purplish red and/or yellowish pink.

We claim: 
     
       1. The new and distinct variety of the Cactaceae family as described and illustrated and which is principally distinguished by a growth habit that combines the following characteristics: a. A natural tendency to branch during the growth period preceding blooming without inducement by pruning.   b. A fast growth rate with resistances to nutrient deficiencies, fungus type diseases and flower bud abscission that are comparable to those of the `Kris Kringle` and `Lavender Doll` varieties.   c. Specimens with an upright compact appearance having phylloclades with generally shorter midribs than those of the `Lavender Doll` variety and with generally thicker teeth than those of the `Kris Kringle` variety,   d. A flower which blooms from about 1 to 3 weeks later than that of the `Kris Kringle` variety and has a bloom life of from about 6 to about 9 days and which has 1. A sepaloid series of free tepals with marginal blade areas in the inner and outer whorl members that in color are dominated by reddish purple, purplish red and/or purplish pink hues and with center fields in the inner whorl members that in color are dominated by pink and/or yellowish pink hues in the basal areas of the fields and by pink, red and/or reddish orange hues in the distal areas of the fields,   2.     
     
     
       2. A perianth tube laminating series of tepals with center fields which extend into the apex areas of the tepal blades and in color are dominated by red, pink, purplish red and/or yellowish pink hues, and with lateral marginal areas which in color are dominated by reddish purple, purplish red and/or red hues, 3. A perianth tube forming series of basally united tepals that provide a perianth tube with a basic color which is dominated by yellowish pink and/or pink hues and on which is superimposed elongated, circumferentially spaced, stripes that are proximally extending colors found in the blade marginal areas and having blades with marginal areas which in color are dominated by reddish purple and/or purplish red hues that merge inwardly with a center blade field that in color is dominated by pink and/or purplish pin hues, and   4. A style which in color is dominated at its proximal end by a purplish pink hue and at its distal end by a purplish red hue.