USPP3289P - Chrysanthemum plant - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 9, 1973 ETAL Plant P. 3,289

CHRYSANTHEMUM PLANT Filed D80. 14, 1970 United States Patent Int. Cl. A01h /00 U.S. Cl. Plt.80 1 Claim The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of chrysanthemum plant which is a sport of the unpatented cultivar Pink Mefo, which is no longer commercially available in the trade.

The new cultivar is similar in many respects to Mefo, which is white and the parent variety of the entire Mefo family, which has enjoyed substantial commercial success in the United States, having the same characteristics as Mefo of:

(1) Foliage shape.

(2) Flower form.

(3) Foliage color.

(4) Ivory white color when finished under the higher light, higher temperature conditions of early fall, late spring and summer when night temperatures exceed 60 F. and day temperatures exceed 6870 F.

The cultivar is distinguished from Mefo by the following characteristics:

(1) /2" smaller fiower with better form retention.

(2) A much darker pink color when flowered under the lower light, lower temperature conditions of late fall through early spring, when night temperatures do not exceed 60 F. and/or day temperatures seldom go above 6870 F.

(3) 3" less vigor.

(4) Slightly smaller foliage.

(5) 3-5 days later response.

The new cultivar was discovered as a flowering plant in Reading, Mass., and was asexually reproduced by cuttings at Barberton, Ohio. The new cultivar has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics through successive propagations.

The new cultivar when grown in the vicinity of Barberton, Ohio, has a response period of approximately 11 weeks, and the following detailed description is based on observations made of the new cultivar in a greenhouse in Barberton, Ohio. The response time, blooming period, color, and total vigor may vary significantly with varying environmental conditions such as temperature, day length, and light intensity. Suggested flowering in the northern and western United States and coastal California is from mid-November through April.

The accompanying drawing shows the unique characteristics of the new cultivar, the color being as nearly true as possible with color illustrations of this type.

In the description which follows, color references are to the Munsell Color Book, 1963 edition, and comparison made with the cultivar Mefo.

Botanical Classification: Chrysanthemum morifolium The following color readings for Improved Pink Mefo are based upon flowerings made in Barberton, Ohio, from mid-November through April and only when greenhouse Plant Pat. 3,289 Patented Jan. 9, 1973 night temperatures are approximately 60 F. and greenhouse day temperatures seldom exceed 68-70 F.

Improved Pink Mefo Mefo Bloom (color):

Center of flower. Dark lavender, P6/6 to light lavender, 10P7/6.

Base of petals Ivory white, 5Y9/l Ivory white, 5Y9/1.

Inside of petals Dark lavender, 10P5/4 Ivory white, 5Y9/l.

to lavender, 10P6/4 ogfer ivory white,

Pale yellow, 10Y9/4.

5 9 1. Reverse of petals. Light lavender, 1018/4 Ivory white, 5Y9/1.

to pale lavender, 1019/2. Tonality from a Lavender pink Ivory white.

distance.

15 Disc0loration Ivory White, 5Y9/l Ivory white, 5Y9/1.

Reproductive organs:

Stamen, anthers-045. P0llen.-None to scant. v Arrangement.Clustered in center of flower, if

present.

Styles-Present both ray and disc florets. Length.Short. Ovaries.-At the base of petal attached to receptacle.

Plant:

F0rm.-Herbaceous.

Height.-37", depending on culture (by way of contrast, Mefo has a height of 40", depending on culture).

Spread.Very little when grown pinched to none when grown single stem.

Foliage:

Top side.-Dark green, mow/t.

Size.6" long, 2%" wide (Mefo is 6 /2" long, 3%"

wide).

Quantity.Numerous. Shape.Spatulate lobed. Texture.Smooth. Ribs and veins-Very prominent. Edge.Deeply indented. Serration.Coarse. Underside.-Light green, 7.5GY5/ 4. Stipules.-Small.

We claim:

1. A new and distinct cultivar of chrysanthemum characterized particularly as to its uniqueness when compared to the cultivar Mefo by its /2" smaller flower with better form retention, much darker pink color when flowered under the lower light, lower temperature conditions of late fall through early spring when night temperatures do not exceed F. and/or day temperatures seldom go above 6870 F., 3" less vigor, slightly smaller foliage, and 3-5 days later response.

No references cited.

ROBERT BAGWILL, Primary Examiner

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