USPP3572P - Azalea plant - Google Patents

Description

June 18, 1974 S. L. COFFIN AZALEA PLANT (vowr'ruous) Filed April 23, 1973 Plant Pat. 3,572

United States Patent O 3,572 AZALEA PLANT Samuel L. Collin, W. Four Ridge Road, House Springs, Mo. 63051 Filed Apr. 23, 1973, Ser. No. 353,602 Int. Cl. Atllh /00 US. Cl. Plt.--56 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION My new variety of azalea plant originated as a seedling resulting from a cross of Fedora (unpatented) and Salmon Beauty (unpatented) made by me at House Springs, Mo., during the course of breeding efforts carried by me since 1962 with the object of producing a non-seeding variety having a better growth habit and which would DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING My new variety of azalea plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographic drawings in which the upper view shows the bud clusters and leaves and the lower view shows full opened blossoms, the colors shown being as nearly true as can be obtained by conventional photographic procedures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT The following is a detailed description of the new variety of azalea plant with color designations according to the R.H.S. Colour Chart produced under the direction of the British Colour Council and issued by the Royal Horticultural Society of London, England.

The plant Origin: Seedling Parentage: Seed parent-Fedora (unpatented). Pollen parent-Salmon Beauty (unpatented). Classification: Botanic-Kaempferi. Commercial-Hardy,

evergreen. Form: Bush-Shape: Taller than broad. Height: 6 feet or more Trunk size: Bush-% to 1 inch at base. Tree-1 to 1 /2 inches. Bark: 201A Growth habit: Upright and strong with good growth rate. Branches: Slightly upright and more closely spaced than Fedora. Size: A inch to /2 inch midway. Bark: 200D, nearly smooth. Foliage-leaves:

Quantity.-Generous Size.-1 /z to 2 /2 inches long, to 1% inches wide. Form-Elliptic or rhombic to ovate with nearly even margins. Texture-leathery, smooth on top and semi-glossy. Pubescense distribution.Rufous hairs on midrib and petiole.

ice

.2 Celen -Uppe side-138A. U e s de-Li h er Green, in new growth 144A. Ribs and veins.Rather pronounced.

Flower buds Form: Long.

Size: /8 to V2 inch in diameter and l to 1% inch in length when petals are about to open.

Rate of opening: Quite fast and uniform.

Color: When sepals first divide-S5D. When petals begin to unfurl--55B.

Sepals: Hooded over bud before opening. Spear shaped,

and curl back slightly after breaking.

Color: Inside-Light Green. Outside-Same as leaves,

Calyx: Calyx splits and its aspect is smooth.

Peduncle: None. The bud is sessile.

The flower Blooming period: About three weeks in midwest climate.

Quantity: Profuse.

Size: Medium. 2 to 2 /2 inches in diameter and 1% to 1% inches in depth including throat.

Borne: In cluster of two to five blossoms.

Shape: Cup shaped when first opening changing to hosein-hose with two sets each with five petals.

Petalage: Number-10. Arrangementimbricate. Form.-Oval. Margin-Some are wavy. C0l0r.-Outer petal, body-55C. Inside petal,

body-55C; spots and base55B. Reverse side of petal55C. When the flowers are fully mature, their background color is more nearly 55D with the blotches and throat about 55 C. Colors will vary according to weather conditions and growing environment. Texture.Soft. Appearance-satiny. Petaloids.None. Peduncle: None. The flower is sessile. Fragrance: None.

Reproductive organs Stamens:

Anthers.1Five in number 1% to 1 /2 inches long arranged at bottom center of flower. Color200B. Filamenrs.l% to 1% inches long. Color-55C. P0llen.-Sparse and whitish yellow in color. Pistils: 1 to 1 inches in length. Color-55B.

Stigmas.-Color200B. Ovaries: Not visible. Seeds: None.

Compared with its seed parent (Kaempferi Fedora), my new azalea plant has better form, sturdier growth and neater, more upright branch habit. This new variety has the hose-in-hose flower form of its pollen parent Salmon Beauty and since it does not produce seeds, as does Fedora, it blooms heavily each flowering season. Azaleas which produce many seeds fail to bloom well the following season unless the seeds are removed soon after the flowers have shattered.

This new variety has better foliage than ordinary Kaempferi types in that it has more evergreen leaves which are leathery and shiny and of a deeper green color. The flower buds are larger and longer, more freeze resistant, and capable of withstanding well below zero weather. The flowers have more variation in color, being of a Neyron Rose pink background with deeper Neyron Rose colored spots on the top petals and in the flower throat, producing a two-tone etfect.

Iclaim: are more freeze resistant than usual in the Kaempferi 1. 'A new and distinctive variety of azalea plant subazalea strain;

stantially as herein shown and described, characterized by profuse and seedless flowering, its abundant production-of evergreen foliage, and its large flower buds which 5 ROBERT E. BAGWILL, Primary Examiner N 0 references cited.

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