A new and distinct Camellia L. plant named ‘Pink Cascade’, characterized by its lanceolate leave shape, the width of its leaves measuring at about 1.8 cm to about 2.2 cm, its cascade stem shape, its flower stage at early March to early April, its light pink flower color, its single flower shape, and its diameter of the flower measuring at about 2 cm to about 4 cm.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed:Camellia L. Hybrida.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of People's Republic of China application for protection of new varieties plants in China Application Serial No. 20120074 filed on May 31, 2012 under 35 USC Sec. 119(f), hereby specifically incorporated by reference in its entirely.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofCamelliaplant, botanically known asCamellia L. ‘Pink Cascade’ and will be referred to hereinafter by its cultivar name, ‘Pink Cascade’.

‘Pink Cascade’ was derived from a breeding program by the inventors by applying pollen from aCamellia parvi-ovatatree to emasculated flowers of aCamellia japonica‘Kuro-tsubaki’ tree in the winter of 1996.Camellia parvi-ovatais unknown cultivar. Kuro-tsubaki is a Japanese cultivar. It is not patented in China.

‘Pink Cascade’ differs from one parentCamellia parvi-ovatain that theCamellia parvi-ovatahas white flower color, diameter of flower is 1.0 cm to 1.8 cm, and the length of leave is 4.0 cm to 6.0 cm, and width of leave is 1.5 cm to 2.0 cm, whereas ‘Pink Cascade’ has light pink flower color, diameter of flower is 2.5 cm to 3.5 cm, the length of leave is 5.0 cm to 8.2 cm, and the width of leave is 1.8 cm to 2.2 cm.

During 1997 to 2001, the seeds derived from the cross were planted and screened until the first flower to obtain favorable seedlings. From 2001 to 2011, the favorable seedlings were propagated by cuttings for five times and the stability tests were carried on before a variety was finally selected and named Pink Cascade in 2011.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar was first accomplished by stem cutting from a one year old stem in Shanghai and was further accomplished by same asexual propagation for five generations, and there was no genetic variation, therefore its traits are stable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the characteristics of the new cultivar ofCamellia. These attributes in combination distinguish ‘Pink Cascade’ as unique from and all other varieties ofCamelliaknown to the Inventors.1. The shape of leaves of the ‘Pink Cascade’ is lanceolate.2. The width of the leaves of ‘Pink Cascade’ measures at about 1.8 cm to about 2.2 cm, and the length of leaves measures at about 5.0 cm to about 8.2 cm.3. The plant habit of the ‘Pink Cascade’ is cascade.4. The flower stage of the ‘Pink Cascade’ is about early March to about early April.5. The flower color of the ‘Pink Cascade’ is light pink in color.6. The flower type of the ‘Pink Cascade’ is single.7. The diameter of the flowers of the ‘Pink Cascade’ is about 2 cm to about 4 cm.

Of the many cultivars known to the present inventors, the most similar in comparison to the newCamellia‘Pink Cascade’ is theCamellia‘Xiao Fenyu’ (registered for protection of new varieties of plants in China, registration no. 20120001). Plants ofCamellia‘Xiao Fenyu’ differs from the newCamellia‘Pink Cascade’ in thatCamellia‘Xiao Fenyu’ has oval leaf shape, straight stem shape, the length of leaf is about 6.5 cm to about 7.5 cm, the width of leaf is about 3 cm to 3.5 cm, and the flower stage is about late February to about April.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed description of the new cultivar ‘Pink Cascade’ as taken from 14-year old plans from stem cutting as grown in Shanghai, China. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, day length, fertilizers and humidity without any change in the genotype of the plant. The description below were taken from 2011 to 2013. The color determination is in accordance with The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England, except where general color terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

The aforementioned photograph, together with the following observations, measurements and values describe the newCamellia‘Pink Cascade’ as grown in Shanghai, China. It is planted in the same manner as other common outdoorsCamelliacultivar, and it grows in area where absolute minimum temperature is above −5° C. ‘Pink Cascade’ likes warm and humid climate, prefers acidic soil, and grows well in neutral and light alkaline soil.

The range of day-time growing temperatures is the same with other common outdoorsCamelliacultivar. ‘Pink Cascade’ grows well in high temperature environment at summer in Shanghai.

The range of night-time growing temperatures is the same with other common outdoorsCamelliacultivar. The descriptions below were taken from a 14-year old ‘Pink Cascade’ plant.General description:Blooming season.—Early March to early April.Plant habit.—Shrubs (as shown inFIGS. 1,2and5).Bark.—Tan, 197C.Plant height.—About 80 cm.Plant diameter, area of spread.—About 92 cm (FIG. 5, 8-year old plant).Winter hardiness and drought/heat tolerance.—Plant grows at environment temperature ranges from about −5° C. to about 40° C. Drought tolerance is similar to commonCamelliavarieties.Disease resistance/susceptibility.—Sensitive to the mealy bug and anthracnose.Stem description:Color of new stem.—Tan, 199C.Stem shape.—Cascade (as shown inFIG. 3).Average length/diameter.—The average length of main stem is 2-12 cm, the average diameter of main stem is about 2.5 cm, the average number of lateral branch is 2-3, and the average length of lateral branch is 65 cm.Average color and texture.—The RHS color for low lignified young stem is close to 199C, and has pubescence on it. The RHS color for high lignified older stem is close to 197C. Length of Inter node stem is about 0.3-2 cm. (FIG. 5, a 8-year old plant).Foliage description:Leaf color.—Young leaf: dark purple (FIG. 3); upper surface of young leaf 183A; lower surface of young leaf 183B; vein of young leaf: upper side 144A, lower side 144B. Mature leaf: green to dark green (FIG. 3); upper surface of mature leaf 147A, lower surface of mature leaf 146C; vein of mature leaf 144A.Leaf size.—Mature size: about 5.0 cm to about 8.2 cm in length and about 1.8 cm to about 2.2 cm in width. (FIG. 3).Leaf thickness.—Clusters of alternate leaves arranged almost as a cross, about 3-5 leaves per branch. The leaf thickness is about 0.2 mm to about 0.4 mm.Leaf apex.—Acute (FIG. 3).Leaf base.—Cuneate (FIG. 3).Leaf margin.—Dentate (FIG. 3).Leaf shape.—Lanceolate (FIG. 3).Leaf pubescence.—Absent (FIG. 3).Leaf arrangement on stem.—Clusters (FIG. 3).Leaf venation.—Reticulate. (FIG. 3).Leaf texture.—Smooth.Leaf gloss.—Weak.Petiole description:Length.—About 3 mm to about 6 mm.Diameter.—About 0.8 mm to about 1.5 mm.Color.—Green, 144E or 178B.Flower description:Inflorescence.—Number of individual flowers per stem: more than 3 (FIGS. 4 and 5).Individual flower.—Axillary, terminal: some flowers are axillary, and others are terminal. Symmetry: Symmetry (FIG. 4). Fragrance: No fragrance. Diameter: 2.5-3.5 cm. Type: single flower. Flower stage: Early March to early April. Flower buds: the shape of flower bud is oval, and the length before opening is about 15 mm to 24 mm, the diameter is about 7 mm to 11 mm. The RHS color is close to 51A/51B. The length of pedicel is about 1.5 mm to about 3.0 mm, and the diameter is about 2.1 mm to about 3.0 mm. Petals. Number: 5. Size: width of petal is about 12 mm to about 21 mm, and the length is about 21 mm to about 28 mm. The shape of petal base is wide cuneate. Shape: oval (FIG. 4). Apex: concave. Margin: entire. Color: light pink, RHS color close to 52D; when opening: light pink, RHS color close to 52D and 159D. Sepals: Shape: oval. Color: brown, inside surface: close to 178A and 178B; outside surface: close to 144C and 144D. Arrangement: Imbricate structure, about 5 sepals per flower. Width of sepal: about 4 mm to about 8 mm. Length of sepal: about 3 mm to about 9 mm. Stamens Shape: cylindrical. Base: connate. Petaloids: no stamen petaloids have been observed on plants of the new variety ofCamellia. Average number: about 38-53 basally connate stamens per flower. Size: the length of stamen is about 10 mm to about 20 mm and the diameter is about 0.4 mm to about 0.6 mm. Color: close to 155D. Pistils Stigma: 3-lobed shallow crack. Height: equal or higher than stamens. Pubescence on ovary: absent. Fruits/seeds: Fruit and seeds production have not been observed on plants of the newCamellia.