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6-2001

Camptotheca lowreyana named ‘Katie’ (US Patent PP11959)

Shiyou Li Stephen F Austin State University, Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture, [email protected]

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Repository Citation Li, Shiyou, " lowreyana tree named ‘Katie’ (US Patent PP11959)" (2001). NCPC Publications and Patents. 14. https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/ncpc_articles/14

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(12) United States Patent (10) Patent N0.: US PP11,959 P2 Li (45) Date of Patent: Jun. 26, 2001

(54) CAMPTOTHECA LOWREYANA TREE NAMED (58) Field of Search ...... Plt./216; 800/298 ‘KATIE’ (75) Inventor: Shiy0u Li, Nacogdoches, TX (US) Primary Examiner—BruC_e R' Came“ Assistant Examzner—Mel1ssa L. Kimball (73) Assignee: Stephen R. Austin State University, (74) Attorney) Agent) 0" F i"m—c~ A- Whealy Nacogdoches, TX (US) (57) ABSTRACT ( * ) Notice: sublect_to any disclaimer>_ the term of this A new and distinct cultivar of Carnptotheca lowreyana tree Patent 15 extended or adlusted under 35 named ‘Katie’, characterized by its freely and vigorously U-S-C- 154(k)) by 0 days- branching; dense and full plant habit; small leaf siZe; lan ceolate to elliptic leaf shape; leaves from both juvenile and (21) Appl. No.: 09/291,106 mature with entire leaf margins; lower temperature and (22) Filed Apr 14 1999 drought tolerance; and high yield of anti-cancer camptoth ' ' ’ ecin in leaves. (51) Int. Cl.7 ...... A01H 5/00 (52) US. Cl...... Plt./216 6 Drawing Sheets

1 2 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1995. The selection of this plant was based on its more freely branching habit, smaller leaf siZe, leaf shape, increased The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar hardiness and tolerance to drought, and higher of Camptotheca, botanically known as Carnptotheca low content. reyana, and hereinafter referred to by the name ‘Katie’. The Asexual reproduction of the new Camptotheca by termi new Camptotheca is named in honor of Mrs. Katie Northrup nal cuttings harvested in a controlled environment in Nacog of Houston, TeX. doches, TeX., has shown that the unique features of this new Camptotheca, also known as Xi Shu or Happytrees, are Camptotheca are stable and reproduced true to type in deciduous trees, native to China, and a member of the successive generations. family. Three species of Camptotheca are sig 10 ni?cant sources of naturally-occurring , a very BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION promising anti-cancer chemical substance (Li et al., in press). The anti-tumor activity of Camptotheca was ?rst The new Camptotheca has not been observed under all discovered in 1957 (Wall et al., 1966). Clinical trials of possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary camptothecins in the United States, China, Japan and Europe 15 somewhat with variations in environment such as have shown success in treating may types of cancer (Li and temperature, daylength, light intensity, nutrition and water Adair, 1994). Some camptothecin drugs have received status without, however, any variance in genotype. approval for cancer treatment in more the 20 countries. The following traits have been repeatedly observed and Recently, three semi-synthetic drugs from camptothecins are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘Katie’. (Hycamtin, Campto, and 9-Nitrocamptothecin) were These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘Katie’ as a approved by the United State Food & Drug Administration new and distinct cultivar: for the treatment of ovarian, colorectal and pancreatic can cers. Camptothecins have also recently shown promise as 1. Freely and vigorously branching; dense and full plant inhibitors of HIV development in animal and human cell habit. cultures (Priel, 1993). 25 2. Small leaf siZe. Presently, production of camptothecins relies on Camp 3. Lanceolate to elliptic leaf shape. totheca trees. However, the production of Camptotheca trees is limited by low temperatures and drought. If new cultivars 4. Leaves from both juvenile and mature trees have entire of Camptotheca that were more hardy and drought-tolerant margins. were developed, the production of Camptotheca trees could 5. Low temperature and drought tolerance. be expanded. 6. High yield of anti-cancer camptothecin in leaves. The new Camptotheca is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in Nacogdoches, TeX. of the new Camptotheca can be compared to plants of the parent cultivar Carnptotheca lowreyana Li and Camp The objective of the breeding program is to create new 35 Camptotheca cultivars that are more freely branching, have totheca acuminata Decaisne. However, in side-by-side com a higher camptothecin content and are tolerant to drought parisons conducted in Nacogdoches, TeX., plants of the new and low temperatues. Camptotheca differ from plants of Carnptotheca lowreyana The new Camptotheca originated from a self-pollination Li and Carnptotheca acuminata Decaisne in the following charcteristics: made by the Inventor of the Carnptotheca lowreyana Li (not 40 patented). The cultivar Katie was discovered and selected by 1. Plants of the new Camptotheca are more freely branch the Inventor within the progeny of the stated cross in a ing and denser and fuller than plants of Carnptotheca controllled environment in Nacogdoches, TeX., in April, lowreyana Li and Carnptotheca acuminata Decaisne. US PP11,959 P2 3 4 2. Leaves of plants of the neW Camptotheca are much Botanical classi?cation: Camptotheca lowreyana ‘Katie’. smaller than leaves of plants of Camptotheca lowreyana Li Parentage: and Camptotheca acuminata Decaisne. Male parent.—Camptotheca lowreyana Li, not pat 3. Leaves of plants of the neW Camptotheca are different ented. in shape compared to plants of Camptotheca lowreyana Li Female parent.—Camptotheca lowreyana Li, not pat and Camptotheca acuminata Decaisne. ented. Propagation: 4. Leaves from juvenile plants of the neW Camptotheca have entire margins Whereas leaves from juvenile plants of Type.—By terminal cuttings. Camptotheca lowreyana Li and Camptotheca acuminata Time to initiate roots.—Summer: About 7 days at Decaisne have serrated margins. temperatures of 32° C. Winter: About 15 days at temperatures of 21° C. 5. Plants of the neW Camptotheca are more tolerant to loW Time to develop roots.—Summer: About 21 days at temperatures and drought than plants of Camptotheca low temperatures of 32° C. Winter: About 40 days at reyana Li and Camptotheca acuminata Decaisne. temperatures of 21° C. 6. Plants of the neW Camptotheca have a higher yield of Rooting habit.—Fibrous. camptothecin than plants of Camptotheca lowreyana Li and Plant description: Camptotheca acuminata Decaisne. Plant type.—Polygamous, deciduous tree With medici nal and ornamental value. A comparison of one-year old plants of the neW Growth habit.—Conical; compact; dense and full. Camptotheca, Camptotheca lowreyana Li, and Camptotheca Branching habit.—Very freely and vigorously branch acuminata Decaisne appears in Chart A at the end of the ing With about 10 to 35 lateral branches developing speci?cation. in the ?rst year of groWth. Plant height, soil level to top of leaves.—About 1.5 to BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 2 meters; plants attain a plant height of about 15 The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the meters at maturity. overall appearance of the neW Camptotheca, shoWing the Plant diameter; area of spread.—About 0.5 meters; colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored plants may attain a plant diameter of about 10 meters reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may at maturity. differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed Growth rate.—Rapid, vigorous. botanical description Which more accurately describe the Lateral branch length.—About 5 to 20 cm. actual colors of the neW Camptotheca. Stem color.—Immature stems, 2 Weeks old, 59B; from 2 Weeks to 6 months old, 146A; from 6 months to 2 FIG. 1 comprises a side perspective vieW of a typical plant years, 152A; older than 2 years, 148A. of ‘Katie’ shoWing the freely and vigorously branching Stem texture.—Young bark, less than 5 years old, habit. smooth With scattered lenticels, 159A in color. FIG. 2 comprises a close-up vieW of leaves and lateral Stem pubescence.—Dense. branches of a typical plant of ‘Katie’. Foliage descripton: Arrangement.—Alternate, single, numerous. FIG. 3 comprises a top perspective vieW of typical plants of Camptotheca acuminata Decaisne (left) and ‘Katie’ Length.—About 4 to 10 cm. (right) shoWing the differences in groWth habit and leaf siZe. Width.—About 1.5 to 4 cm. Shape.—Lanceolate to elliptic. FIG. 4 comprises a close-up vieW of typical leaves (upper Apex.—Acute or acuminate. and loWer surfaces) from tWo-year old plants of Camptoth Base.—Cuneate or oblique. eca lowreyana Li (A); the cultivar ‘Katie’ (B); Camptotheca Margin, juvenile and mature plants.—Entire; slightly yunnanensis Dode (C); and Camptotheca acuminata undulating With glands. Decaisne Texture.—Upper surface: Smooth, slightly glabrous, FIG. 5 of illustrations comprises camptothecin concen slightly lustrous. LoWer surface: Glabrous and lus trations of young leaves of the neW Camptotheca as deter terless; moderately pubescent. mined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Venation pattern.—Pinnate, 10 to 15 lateral viens per leaf. FIG. 6 of illustrations comprises camptothecin concen Stomates.—Frequency: About 211 per pimz. Length: trations of mature leaves of the neW Camptotheca as deter About 29 pm. mined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Gland length.—About 42 pm. Color—Young foliage, upper surface: Initially 59A DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION under full sun conditions, then becoming close to 143A or 143B. Young foliage, loWer surface: Ini The aforementioned and folloWing observations, tially 60B under full sun conditions, then becoming measurements, values, and comparisons described plants close to 144A. Mature foliage, upper surface: Close groWn in Nacogdoches, TeX., in one-gallon containers under to 137A. Mature foliage, loWer surface: Close to outdoor conditions Which closely approximate commercial 146B or 137C. Venation, upper surface: Close to production conditions. Plants used for the description Were 145A or 145B. Venation, loWer surface: Close to approximately one-year old. 145B or 145C. In the folloWing description, color references are made to Petiole.—Length: About 5 to 10 mm. Diameter: About The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart eXcept Where 1 to 1.5 mm. Color: Initially 45B to 59A under full general terms of ordinary dictionary signi?cance are used. sun conditions, then becoming close to 146C. US PP11,959 P2 5 6 Flower description: did not exhibit frost damage When exposed to —14° C. in Natural ?owering season.—May through August in the February, 1997, Whereas other varieties of Camptotheca Northern Hemisphere, ?owering continuous. FloW exhibited damage. ers persistent. Drought tolerance: According to the ?eld trials in summer of Flower arrangement.—Very small cyanthiform single 1996, the neW Camptotheca Was the most drought ?oWers. TWo sessile ?oWers are arranged as a cyme tolerant of all Camptotheca varieties tested. With 15 to 30 cymes forming a dense spherical in?orescence. TWo to ten in?orescences are arranged CHART A as a terminal or axillary raceme or panicle-like compound in?orescence. FloWers on the upper part Camptotheca Camptotheca lowreyana Camptotheca acuminata of the compound in?orescence are bisexual and CHARACTER ‘Katie’ lowreyana Li Decaisne ?oWer ?rst; the loWer ?oWers are male or sometimes bisexual. NUMBER OF About 10 to 35 FeWer than 5 FeWer than 5 LATERAL Time to ?ower—Trees are usually about 4 to 6-years BRANCHES old before ?oWering commences; thereafter, proli?c LEAF LENGTH About 4 to About 12 to About 14 to ?oWering is typical. 10 cm 25 cm 20 cm Quantity of ?owers.—FloWering trees may develop up LEAF WIDTH About 1.5 to About 7 to About 7 to to 1500 ?oWers per lateral stem. 4 cm 10 cm 10 cm LEAF SHAPE Lanceolate/ Cordate/ovate Oval/oblong Time of flower opening.—About 5 to 20 days. elliptic Fragrance.—Strong, but pleasant. LEAF BASE Cuneate/ Cordate/rounded Equilateral/ In?orescence length.—About 1.5 to 2 cm. oblique cuneate LEAF MARGIN, Entire Serrate Serrate In?orescence width.—About 1.5 to 2 cm. JUVENILE Flower diameter—About 3 to 8 mm. PLANTS Flower height.—About 7 to 15 mm. LEAF MARGIN, Entire Entire Entire Flower longevity on plant.—About 20 to 45 days MATURE PLANTS LEAF LUSTER, Lusterless Lustrous Lusterless depending on temperature and precipitation. LOWER Flower bud.—Length: About 4 to 10 mm. Diameter: SURFACE About 2 to 5 mm. Shape: Ovoid. PETIOLE About 5 to About 1.5 to About 1.5 to Petals.—Appearance: Glossy. Quantity: Five per LENGTH 10 mm 3 cm 3 cm ?oWer. Texture: Pubescent. Arrangement: Imbricate. PETIOLE About 1 to About 2.5 to About 2.5 to DIAMETER 1.5 mm 4.5 mm 5 mm Shape: Oblong to ovate With acute apex. Margin: HARDINESS To Zone 8 To Zone 9 To Zone 9 Entire. Length: About 1.2 to 1.5 cm. Width: About CAMPTOTHECIN 0.077% 0.055% 0.042% 0.4 to 0.8 mm. Color: When opening, upper and YIELD, YOUNG LEAVES loWer surfaces: Light green, close to 138C. Fully CAMPTOTHECIN 0.024% 0.013% 0.019% opened, upper and loWer surfaces: YelloWish green, YIELD, MATURE close to 145C. LEAVES Sepals.—Appearance: Glossy. Quantity: Five per ?oWer. Texture: Ciliate. Arrangement: Fused as cyanthiform calyx. Shape: Deltoid With acute apex. LIST OF REFERENCES Margin: Entire. Calyx length: About 4 to 10 mm Li, S.Y., Camptotheca lowreyana, a neW species of anti Calyx diameter: About 2 to 4 mm. Color, upper and loWer surfaces: Light green, close to 138B. cancer happytrees (Camptotheca Decaisne). Bull. Bot. Res. Peduncles.—Length: About 2 to 8 mm. Angle: Erect. 17(3): 348—352 (1997). Strength: Strong. Color: Light gray, close to 191B. Li, S.Y. and KT. Adair, Camptotheca acuminata Reproductive organs.—Androecium: Stamen number: Decaisne, Xi Shu, A Promising Anti-Tumor and Anti-Wral Usually ten. Anther shape: Four-locular. Anther siZe: Tree for the 21st Century. Nacogdoches, Tex.: College of About 0.5 mm by 1 mm. Anther color: Bright yelloW. Forestry, Stephen F. Austin State University (1994). Amount of pollen: Moderate. Pollen color: YelloW. Li, S.Y. et al., Anti-Cancer Happytrees. Nacogdoches, Gynoecium: Pistil length: About 5 to 10 mm. Stigma Tex.: Arthur Temple College of Forestry, Stephen F. Austin shape: 2 to 3-lobed. Stigma color: YelloWish green. State University (in press). Style length: About 2 to 7 mm. Priel, E. et al., Inhibition of retrovirus-induced disease in Seed.—Fruit type: Samara-like. Length: About 2.7 cm. mice by camptothecin. Jour. of Virology 67(6):3624—3629 Diameter: About 5 mm. Color: 164B or 164C. (1993). Disease resistance: Resistance to diseases common to Wall, M.E. et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 88:3888—3890 Camptotheca is similar to other Camptothecas groWn (1966). under typical commercial conditions. It is claimed: Hardiness: The neW Camptotheca is hardy to USDA Zone 8 1. AneW and distinct Camptotheca lowreyana tree named With —10° C. the apparent critical loW temperature. In ‘Katie’, as illustrated and described. ?eld trials in Nacogdoches, Tex., the neW Camptotheca * * * * * U.S. Patent Jun. 26, 2001 Sheet 1 0f 6 US PP11,959 P2

I 500 Area Percent % Camptothecin = Peak area at weight of extracts x Column factor 17.681 x Sample weight factor

Peak area: 0.08658 Weight of extracts: 0.8866 g Column factor: 0.8000 Sample weight factor: 1.0000/0.8000 24.7% % CPT = 0.08658 x 0.8866 x 0.8000 x 1.0000/0.8000 = 0.0768

CPT peak identi?ed by blank CPT 1000 l 1000 7.440 858

F igure 5 U.S. Patent Jun. 26, 2001 Sheet 2 0f 6 US PP11,959 P2

Ml PM

3 . . g % Camptothecm = Peak area 2: wclght of extracts 2: Column factor

Peak area: 0.03035 Weight ofcxtmcts: 1.0015 g Column factor: 0.8000

2000 § 2000 § % CPT = 0.03035 x 1.0015 x 0.8000 = 0.0243

19.5“

Mime“

Figure 6