When Should a Clone be Singled Out?

A New Clone of Bridal Veil

 

                     When should a clone be singled out?

 

Tahitian Bridal Veil has been around forever as an easy houseplant.  It has narrow, pointy leaves that are dull green and gives small white flowers when mature.

 

            My friend Bob found a plant with very purple leaves.  He had never seen this purple color on Bridal Veil and bought me one.

 

            The definition of a rare plant is one that you’ve never seen before.  This purple color is unique and is distinctively different from the normal green leaves.

 

            Looking around on the internet, you can find this version of an easy houseplant.  So, it’s not rare for those who grow it.  But it is worth noting.

 

            A plant can be singled out for naming if it is distinctive and can be vegetatively propagated.  But who decides?

 

            The botanical name is Gibasis pellucida everywhere in the world.  Cultivated varieties (cv.) are permissible if distinctive.  I say this plant deserves recognition with its own clone name.

 

            Gibasis pellucida cv. ‘Very Purple’

 

            The common name will be Very Purple Tahitian Bridal Veil.  I’ll need to shop this around to see if appropriate.

 

            Will this name catch on?  Only if a grower champions the idea and produces thousands of them.

What to call a plant that is Indestructible?

Peperomia cv.

                              What to call a plant that is indestructible?

 

Peperomia are very easy houseplants that have many colors and forms.  In 2022, the National Garden Bureau picked Peperomia to be the first Houseplant of the Year.

 

            We grow many Peperomia species and sell hundreds every week.  Is there one better than another?

 

            Yogi Berra told us that “You can observe a lot just by watching”.  I had several flats of a trailing, dark leaf, stripped Peperomia that was seriously neglected and underwatered.  It just sat back there on the bench and lived.  This is an extreme trial worth noticing.

 

            Garden center customers often just want a ‘plant I can’t kill’.  I have it.

 

            This durable Peperomia has been hard to identify.  We have several similar clones with uncertain species names ---- quadrangularis, angulata, beetle.

 

            My plant is different from others.  Its leaves are wider than the ones we normally sell.

 

            So, I have a distinctive variety and it’s indestructible.  What should I call it?  I’ve looked for words meaning indestructible without success.

           

            So, for now, I’m calling it Peperomia quadranularis cv. ‘Indestructible’.

 

            cv. = cultivated variety, selected for desirable traits and vegetatively propagated.

 

            This is a legitimate botanical name and can be used for the vegetative propagated pots from the original stock.

 

            Plants need a name and a use to sell.  Being on the list of plants -- ‘I can’t easily kill’ is very valuable.

 

            Peperomia quadrangularis cv. ‘Indestructible’ is worth promoting.