 |
|
 |
| |
 |
Heath plant named `Happy II` |
| PP9497 |
Heath plant named `Happy II`
|
|
| Patent Drawings: | |
| Inventor: |
Imazio |
| Date Issued: |
April 9, 1996 |
| Application: |
08/361,631 |
| Filed: |
December 22, 1994 |
| Inventors: |
Imazio; Bruno L. (Watsonville, CA)
|
| Assignee: |
Bay City Flower Company (Half Moon Bay, CA) |
| Primary Examiner: |
Feyrer; James R. |
| Assistant Examiner: |
|
| Attorney Or Agent: |
Cypher; James R. |
| U.S. Class: |
PLT/231 |
| Field Of Search: |
Plt/54.1 |
| International Class: |
|
| U.S Patent Documents: |
|
| Foreign Patent Documents: |
|
| Other References: |
|
|
| Abstract: |
The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of heath plant named Erica persoluta `Happy II`, a seedling of unknown pollen and seed parentage, discovered in a field of Erica persoluta `Sunset`, which is distinguished from Erica persoluta `Happy` and all other varieties known to me by its ease of propagation, its resistance to root diseases, and the color of its flower. |
| Claim: |
I claim:
1. A new and distinct hybrid plant variety of the Heath family substantially as herein shown and described. |
| Description: |
BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION
This invention relates to a new and distinct variety of the Ericaceae family, named Erica persoluta `Happy II` by the assignee of the invention. This new and heather variety was discovered by the inventor as a seedling of unknown pollen and seedparentage growing in a cultivated field of Erica persoluta `Sunset` U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,336. The new variety possesses the naturally compact growth habit of Erica persoluta `Sunset`, but was noticed because of its early and prolonged floweringhabit. In this respect it is very similar to the patented plant variety Erica persoluta `Happy`--U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,650; Bruno Imazio, inventor; Bay City Flower Co., Inc. assignee.
The new variety is particularly suitable for potted plant culture because of the ease and speed with which cuttings take root and its resistance to root diseases.
The distinguishing characteristics of the new variety which differentiate it from Erica persoluta `Happy` and other varieties known to me are:
1. ease of propagation,
2. resistance to root diseases, and,
3. color of the flower.
______________________________________ Characteristic `Happy` `Happy II` ______________________________________ Ease of Propagation Average Above Average Disease Resistance Good Very good; resistant to the root diseases Pythium and Rhizoctonia. Bloom Color R.H.S. 78 B-78 C R.H.S. 72 B ______________________________________
Since the inventor's discovery of the new variety several years ago, in a commercial nursery in the Sunset Beach area of Watsonville, Calif., the assignee, under the direction and control of the inventor at a commercial nursery in Half Moon Bay,Calif., has asexually reproduced the new cultivar through successive generations by means of cuttings and has found that its distinguishing characteristics remain true from generation to generation and appear to be firmly fixed. Those characteristicsare: ease of propagation, disease resistance and bloom color.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The accompanying drawings consist of color photographs that show the typical potted plant form, including the inflorescence and foliage. The colors are represented as truly as possible using conventional photographic procedures.
FIG. 1 is a color photograph of a potted plant of the new variety illustrating the overall form and appearance of the plant in full bloom.
FIG. 2 is a color photograph of a potted plant of the new variety just prior to the blooms opening.
FIG. 3 is a color photograph of the open blooms.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY
The following is a detailed description of the new variety with color designations made according to The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.) Colour Chart, published in London, England. The following description is based on observations ofoptimally fertilized plants in 4" pots. The plants are 14 months of age from initial propagation and were grown outside under saran in a commercial nursery in Half Moon Bay, Calif., where the average day and night temperatures are 65 degrees F. and 55degrees F. respectively in the summer and 55 degrees F. and 45 degrees F. respectively in the winter.
The Plant
Origin: Seedling.
Parentage:
Seed parent.--Unknown.
Pollen parent.--Unknown.
Classification:
Botanic.--Erica persoluta `Happy II.`
Commercial.13 Happy II.
Form: Perennial, compact woody shrub.
Shape: Upright growth habit.
Height: 25.40 cm to 30.48 cm with an average of 26.04 cm for 14 month plants in 10 cm pots.
Girth: Circumference of 14 month plants in 10 cm pots is 48.26 cm to 55.88 cm.
Diameter: Actual and average diameter of 9".
Branching: Good with minimal pruning.
Growth: Naturally compact; stems become woody with age; stems strong and flexible.
Foliage: Abundant, plant covered with small needle-like leaves.
Size of leaf.--4 mm Long by 1 mm wide.
Shape of leaf.--Acerose like, convexed.
Character.--Sulcate.
Color.--R.H.S. 144 A.
Texture.--Smooth.
Hardiness: Can tolerate temperatures from 28 to 100 degrees F.
The Bud
Size: Fully developed.
Length.--3 mm.
width.--2 mm.
Diameter.--2 mm.
Color: R.H.S. 27 C.
Rate of opening: Rapid, commencing at the base of the inflorescence and progressing continuously to the tip.
Petals: Corroline flowers with inconspicuous sepals; R.H.S. 71 A.
Inflorescence
Blooming habit: Annually, early October through December.
Size of bloom: 4 mm long by 2 mm wide.
Flowering habit: Primarily in axiallary verticils and on short branches from the rachis, forming a vertical spike-like, paniculate raceme. Short branches terminate in single cluster from 1 to 6 or more flowers.
Shape: Urceolate.
Appearance: Santiny.
Flower color: R.H.S. 72 B.
Peduncle: The length of the peduncle will vary depending upon the orientation of the branch and the light penetration into the plant. Measurements of the peduncle ranged from 0.5 cm to 3.0 cm. Distance is measured to the first branchencountered that has flowers.
Pedicel: 2 mm.
Branch length: Usually 1.0 cm at bottom of infloresence and becoming progresively shorter travelling up the rachis.
Rachis:
Color.--Woody portion of rachis is R.H.S. 165 A; new growth is R.H.S. 60 A.
Strength.--Woody to supple; flexible.
Persistence: Blooms do not shed easily, remain long after the plant ceases to draw water.
Fragrance: Faint.
The outstanding economic and aesthetic characteristics of this new variety which distinguish it from other commercial varieties such as Erica persoluta `Heidi` and `Happy` are: flower color, resistance to root diseases and ease of asexualpropagation.
______________________________________ `HEIDI` `HAPPY` `HAPPY II` ______________________________________ The Plant Height A 4" pot will A 4" pot will A 4" pot will produce a plant produce a plant produce a plant 8" to 9" 13" to 15" high 10" to 12" high high in 18 in 16 months with in 16 months months with little minimal pruning. with minimal or no pruning. pruning. Form Short, dense Same Same appearing, compact woody shrub. Shape Upright, stems Upright, stems Same curvingslightly to curving slightly to accommodate the accommodate the fullness of the fullness of the plant. plant. Branch- Naturally Ample, minimal Same ing generous, minimal prunings (1-2) or no pruning necessary to needed. encourage branching. Growth Upright but Same Same naturally short and branching with woody flexible strength. Blooming Annual, mid Jan. Annual, early Annual, early Season to mid Feb. Oct. to mid. Jan. Oct. to the end of Dec. Ease of Average AverageAbove average Propaga- tion Disease Average Good Very good. Resist- Resistant to the ance root diseases Pythium and Rhizoctonia. Foliage Color R.H.S. 143 A R.H.S. 144 A R.H.S. 144 A Size 3 mm Same 4 mm long, 1 mm wide Shape Spike-like with Same Same stiff erect stems and acerose leaves Quantity Abundant Same Same Bloom Size 3 mm .times. 1.5 mm 3 mm .times. 2.5 mm 4 mm .times. 2 mm Borne In clusters with Same Same terminal buds. Shape Urceolate Same Same Color R.H.S. 71C-71D R.H.S 78B-78C R.H.S. 72 B Rate of Rapid, pro- Same Same Opening gressive and continuous beginning at base of stem and progressing to tip. ______________________________________
* * * * * |
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
| |
Randomly Featured Patents |
|
