USPP1072P - Gardenia plant - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 12, 1952 M o. AHRENS Plant Pat. 1,072

GARDENIA PLANT Filed March 10, 1950 26mm 0 l/zfem WM 5 44% T TY E1.

Patented Feb. 12 1952 Plant Pat. 1,072

UNITED STATES PATENT fO'FF-ICE 1,072 g '2 GARDENIA PLANT Melvin O. Ahrens, Crystal Lake, Ill.

Application March- 1950, Serial No. 148,980

1 Claim. 1

The present discovery relates to an improvement in gardenia plants. The new variety in question is a sport of the variety Belmont, which sport was discovered by applicant in the month of January, 1948 in applicant's greenhouses at Crystal Lake, Illinois. Asexual reproduction of the newly discovered plant was made at Crystal Lake, Illinois, by takin cuttings in .1948 from the parent plant. Two mature nodes were taken to each cutting of approximately 1 /2 inch and such cuttings were placed in a sand rooting medium with bottom heat. The new variety has been carefully developed and improved since the growing of the original plants and approximately seventy-two (72) plants grown from cuttings therefrom and from subsequent cuttings, are now in flowering production.

Among the most distinguishing characteristics of the new variety in question are that the plant grows much more slowly than the Belmont variety (plant Patent No. 93), such slow growth being advantageous to commercial gardenia growers because the flowers are not normally picked with a stem. Fast growing varieties, on this account, often become unruly in a very short time in greenhouse culture. An additional distinguishing characteristic of great importance is that the plant has a very broad, rounded, dark green leaf, as distinguished from the narrow, oblong leaf of the Belmont" plant, and other varieties of garclenia plants.

A further distinguishing characteristic is that the bud of the plant is short and thick, whereas the budof the parent variety is long and narrow. This short, thick bud when opening, unfolds very much like a rose, the open flower resembling an open rose also. The flower normally ranges in size from approximately 3% to 5 /2 inches, and develops much more slowly than the flower of the parent Belmont variety.

Still another distinguishing characteristic is the full double form of blossom with an unusually large number of petals, particularly at the center of the flower. Apparently because of this unusually large number of petals, on full maturity this newly discovered variety does not have an open center as is clearly apparent in the accompanying drawing and as stated above, resembles an open rose. The slow development of the flower referred to above is also apparently related to the fact that the blossom contains an unusually large number of petals having a dense distribution at the center of the flower.

The structure of the center of the flower at full maturity as just described is particularly desirable in that at no time does the blossom show a black center as is characteristic of the parent variety. in turn greatly increases the time period. which fiQW BIS' suitable for commercial use may be 'cut'from'the plant.

An additional distinguishin characteristic of 5 the new variety'w'hich is the subject matter of this discovery is that its fragrance'is not overwhelming, as in most other varieties of gardenia, but it has a sweet and gentle odor similarto that of the wild variety of Cape jasmine. In addi- The plant Parentage: Sport of Belmont variety.

Classification: Gardenia grandiflorum.

Form: Exceptionally heavy growth which makes plant very bushy; the nodes or distance between the sets of leaves are much shorter than parent Belmont variety.

Growth: General gIOWillg habits much slower than the Belmont and Hadley varieties; very sturdy and stocky growing plant; unusually large number of branches.

Foliage: Leaves are generally oblong, as in parent, but much more rounded at the extremities; length of Belmont leaf and new variety both approximately 5 to 5 /2 inches; width of Belmont leaf approximately 2%.; to 2% inches,

whereas width of leaf of new variety approximately 3% to 3% inches; the texture is much heavier; the color of the upper surface of the leaf is black green, and the lower surface of the leaf light green.

Wood: Heavy structure, sturdy and strong.

The flower Blooming habit: Heavy production January through July; blossoms much lighter the remaining months of the year.

- Bud: Of a heavy structure; rounded at the rib;

short and stubby.

Size.2 /2 to 3 inches. Form.Tapered but unusually round. Color.Light green.

Sepals-1 to 1 inches. CaZyx.-6 sepals.

3 Blossom:

Size.Large; 3 /2 to 5% inches in diameter.

Form.-Ful1 double, consists of: three rows each of six large petals; three additional rows of six petals each, diminishing in size toward the center of the open flower. The petals are reflexed. adding to depth of flower and giving the flower the appearance 01 an open rose. Petals heavy, with much substance.

Color.Light creamy white; when opening petals have a green strip on left under side; upon maturity this fades, leaving the petal totally white.

PetaZs.--Very heavy and substantial; large and reflexed.

Fragranca -Simllar to Cape jasmine; very sweet and appealing.

The color designations according to A Dictionary of Color, by Maerz and Paul, are as follows:

What is claimed is:

The new and useful variety of gardenia plant substantially as herein shown and described, characterized particularly by its slow but very heavy growth; its stocky and bushy appearance; its broad, dark green leaves, with exceptionally rounded extremities; its short, thick, rounded buds which unfold like a rose; its-very full blooms of light creamy white resembling an open rose; its large, refiexed, very heavy petals of extreme substance having a waxed appearance and a green strip on the left under side, which strip fades upon maturity; the large number of petals in the blooms, particularly at the center thereof; the highly symmetrical and closely spaced distribution of the petals; and its sweet and gentle fragrance similar to that of the wild variety of Cape jasmine. V

MELVIN O. AHRENS.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date McLellan et a1 Nov. 21, 1950 Number P1.Pt. 989

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