The present Invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Ixora plant, botanically known as
The new Ixora was discovered by the Inventor on Jan. 1, 1996 as a naturally-occurring branch mutation of the
Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by terminal cuttings taken in a controlled environment in Bogor, Indonesia, since Jan. 1, 1996, has shown that the unique features of this new Ixora are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.
The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘Pink Pixie’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘Pink Pixie’ as a new and distinct cultivar:
1. Compact, upright and mounded plant habit.
2. Freely branching habit and relatively short internodes; dense and bushy growth habit.
3. Dark green-colored leaves.
4. Large inflorescences with numerous bright pink-colored flowers.
Plants of the new Ixora differ from plants of the parent, the cultivar Rosey Pink, in the following characteristics:
1. Plants of the new Ixora are shorter than plants of the cultivar Rosey Pink.
2. Plants of the new Ixora have shorter internodes, are more freely branching and are denser and bushier than plants of the cultivar Rosey Pink.
3. Plants of the new Ixora have smaller leaves than plants of the cultivar Rosey Pink.
4. Plants of the new Ixora are more floriferous than plants of the cultivar Rosey Pink.
5. Plants of the new Ixora have larger inflorescences than plants of the cultivar Rosey Pink.
Plants of the new Ixora can be compared to plants of the cultivar Nora Grant, not patented. In side-by-side comparisons conducted in Bogor, Indonesia, plants of the new Ixora differed primarily from plants of the cultivar Nora Grant in the following characteristics:
1. Plants of the new Ixora were more compact than plants of the cultivar Nora Grant.
2. Plants of the new Ixora had smaller leaves than plants of the cultivar Nora Grant.
3. Flower color of plants of the new Ixora was lighter pink than flower color of plants of the cultivar Nora Grant.
4. Plants of the new Ixora flowered under low light (semi-shade) conditions whereas plants of the cultivar Nora Grant required full sun conditions to flower.
Plants of the new Ixora can also be compared to plants of the cultivar Petite Pink, not patented. In side-by-side comparisons conducted in Bogor, Indonesia, plants of the new Ixora differed primarily from plants of the cultivar Petite Pink in the following characteristics:
1. Plants of the new Ixora had a more open plant habit than plants of the cultivar Petite Pink.
2. Plants of the new Ixora had larger leaves than plants of the cultivar Petite Pink.
3. Plants of the new Ixora flowered under low light (semi-shade) conditions whereas plants of the cultivar Petite Pink required full sun conditions to flower.
The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new cultivar, showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photograph differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors of the new Ixora.
The photograph on the first sheet comprises a side perspective view of a typical flowering plant of ‘Pink Pixie’ grown in a container.
The photograph on the second sheet is a close-up view of typical inflorescences and leaves of ‘Pink Pixie’.
The cultivar Pink Pixie has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature and light intensity without, however, any variance in genotype. The aforementioned photographs and following observations and measurements describe plants grown in Homestead, Fla., under commercial practice in a polypropylene-covered shadehouse that provided a 30% light reduction. During the production of the plants, day temperatures averaged 32° C. and night temperatures averaged 24° C. Cuttings were planted in 25-cm containers and grown for about six months. In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 1995 Edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.
Botanical classification:
Parentage: Naturally-occurring branch mutation of the
Propagation:
Plant description:
Flower description:
Disease/pest resistance: Plants of the new Ixora have not been observed to be resistant to pathogens and pests common to Ixora.
Weather tolerance: Plants of the new Ixora have been observed to be tolerant to rain, wind and temperatures ranging from 2 to 35° C.