Vitaceae; Cissus rhombifolia named Manda&#39;s Compacta
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This new variety of Cissus rhombifolia originated from cuttings made by me during breeding efforts carried on at the W. A. Manda, Inc. greenhouse in Livingston, N.J., since August 1977 with the object of producing improved Cissus rhombifolia and Cissus rhombifolia &#34;Mandaiana&#34; for the commercial market. This plant was discovered by me in August 1977 in a large bed of Cissus rhombifolia plants and because it appeared to possess the most desirable characteristics of its parent, as well as shorter internodes resulting in closer spaced leaves, making it appear fuller, and because it was fast growing, and because of its vigor and because new shoots were either present or growing readily from nodes which had at least three leaves, this new variety was asexually reproduced by me and under my direction at Livingston, N.J., and successive generations have shown that the novel characteristics of the new variety are fixed and hold true, in all respects, from generation to generation. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     This new Cissus rhombifolia plant is illustrated by the accompanying drawing, in which the upper view shows a potted plant while the lower view shows the upper faces of a cluster of three leaves, the color shown being painted on the photograph to bring out the true color. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT VARIETY 
     The following is a detailed description of my new variety of Cissus rhombifolia plant, with color designations according to The R.H.S. Colour Chart published by The Royal Horticultural Society of London, England. 
     THE PLANT 
     Origin: Cuttings. 
     Parentage: Cissus rhombifolia. 
     Classification: 
     Botanic.--Vitaceae: Cissus rhombifolia &#34;Manda&#39;s Compacta&#34;. 
     Commercial.--Manda&#39;s Compact Grape Ivy. 
     Form: Herbaceous vine. 
     Shape: Upright when young; trailing when mature unless staked. 
     Growth rate: Vigorous; upright, compact, self-branching and sturdy with good strength. 
     Branches: 
     Angle of attachment.--Approximately 45°. 
     Spacing.--Branches from central stem 3/4 inch to 11/2 inches at full growth. 
     Foliage: Quantity -- Abundant. 
     Leaves.--Shape: Pinnately compound. Size: Width and length -- approximately 3/4 inch to 51/4 inches depending on culture. Margin Type: Many pronounced teeth. Texture: Almost leathery. Gloss: Shiny, like polished wax. Smooth: Yes. Pubescence distribution: White on new growth; white on under side of leaf but disappears on upper surface when leaf matures. Color: Upper side young growth -- light green 135A. Under side -- light dull green 138A and at mature growth develops a slight brown cast from pubescence. Leaflets: Rhombic ovate with pronounced upward arching between veins. Size: Approximate length -- 3/4&#34; when immature to 4 inches. Approximate width -- 3/4&#34; to 4&#34;. Shape: Pinnately compound. Petioles: Length including rachis -- approximately 1/2&#34; to 2&#34;. Rachis: Almost none to 7/8&#34;. Ribs and veins: Pinnate; light green to brown on mature leaves. 
     FLOWER BUDS 
     Cissus flowers infrequently except when very mature. Cissus rhombifolia &#34;Manda&#39;s Compacta&#34; has not yet flowered. 
     This new variety of Cissus rhombifolia is a vigorous grower, hardy as observed at Livingston, N.J. The plant is readily grown for raising in cell packs because of its bushy habit. The plant is readily salable because of the closer spacing of the leaves and is more attractive and appears fuller than other varieties. It is more vigorous as new shoots are either present or grow more readily from nodes which have lost their leaves. The plant is outstanding. 
     
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MEASUREMENTS                                                              
         Manda&#39;s             Cissus                                       
         Compacta Mandaiana  Rhombifolia                                  
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Distance                                                                  
Between Nodes:                                                            
           1/4&#34; to 31/2 &#34;                                                 
                      1/2&#34; to 6&#34; 1/2&#34; to 51/4 &#34;                           
Leaf Size                                                                 
(Mature):                                                                 
Length                                                                    
Including Petiole:                                                        
           11/4 &#34; to 6&#34;                                                   
                      21/2 &#34; to  21/2 &#34; to                                
                      81/2 &#34;     63/4 &#34;                                   
Width:     3/4&#34; to 51/4 &#34;                                                 
                      13/4 &#34; to  11/4 &#34; to                                
                      3&#34;         51/2 &#34;                                   
Leaflet Size                                                              
(Mature):                                                                 
Length                                                                    
Including Petiole:                                                        
           3/4&#34; to 4&#34; 3/4&#34; to 5&#34; 7/8&#34; to 41/4 &#34;                           
Width:     3/4&#34; to 3&#34; 7/8&#34; to 5&#34; 9/16&#34; to 25/8 &#34;                          
Petiole Length:                                                           
           3/8&#34; to 2&#34; 11/4 &#34; to  11/16&#34; to 21/2 &#34;                         
                      45/8 &#34;                                              
Rachis Length:                                                            
           Almost none                                                    
                      Almost none                                         
                                 1/16&#34; to 7/8&#34;                            
           to 7/8&#34;    to 1 3/16&#34;                                          
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     the above dimensions are approximate and the above dimensions were taken from varieties grown under greenhouse conditions in the greenhouse of W. A. Manda, Inc. in Livingston, N.J. The above measurements could vary under different cultural conditions.