Latin name of the genus and species:Tillandsiahybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘DOLCE’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofTillandsiaplant, botanically known asTillandsiahybrid, of the family Bromeliaceae, and hereafter referred to as ‘DOLCE’.

The newTillandsia‘Dolce’ originated from a cross made in a controlled breeding program by the inventors in 2003. The seed parent is the unnamed and unpatentedTillandsiaselection identified by code ‘0307140001’. The pollen parent is the unnamed and unpatentedTillandsiaselection identified by code ‘0307140004’. The newTillandsiawas discovered and selected by the inventors in 2008 as a single flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment in Assendelft, the Netherlands.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘DOLCE’ was first performed by off-shoots beginning in 2015, and then by tissue culture beginning in 2017 in Assendelft, the Netherlands. The new cultivar reproduces true to type.

Methods for cultivation and crossing ofTillandsiaare well known. For a detailed discussion, reference is made to the following publications, which are incorporated herein by reference: Benzig, David H., THE BIOLOGY OF THE BROMELIADS, Mad River Press, Inc., Eureka (1980); Zimmer, Karl, BROMELEIN, Verlag, Paul Parey, Berlin (1986); and Rauh, Werner, BROMELEIN, Verlag Eugen Ulmer, Stuttgart (1981).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘DOLCE’, which in combination distinguish ‘DOLCE’ as a new and distinctTillandsiacultivar:1. Solid growth habit; upright and not lodging over.2. Funnel-form rosette plant, measuring about 40 cm in height (above the pot when flowering).3. Numerous, green colored foliage, measuring about 50 cm in length and 5 cm in width.4. Erect panicle with side branches, red-purple inflorescence.5. Long-lasting as a consumer product.

PARENT COMPARISONS

Plants of the parent cultivars are no longer available to provide a botanical comparison with the newTillandsiahybrid ‘DOLCE’.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISONS

Plants ofTillandsia‘DOLCE’ are similar in some horticultural characteristics to the varietyTillandsia‘Samantha’, unpatented. The new variety, however, differs in the following:1. The new variety has a red-purple inflorescence, while this comparator has a red-purple with green inflorescence.

