USPP424P - Geranium plant - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 17, 1940. F. L, STURM Plant Pat. 424

GERANIUM PLANT Filed May 20, 1940 INVENTOR .[Z /ZX Z. 45224192? AT ORNEY Patented Sept. 17, 1940 UNITED STATES Plant Pat. 4Z4

PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

My present discovery relates to a new and improved variety of geranium, its novelty pertaining primarily to color but including other useful improvements also. The flower of this new variety is a vivid begonia rose color not found in the flower of any other geranium known to me.

The new variety was discovered by me in my greenhouses, growing as a sport branch on a plant of the variety Fiat. For several years this variety has been reproduced asexually and the best specimens saved to produce the succeeding generation. By this method of selection and reproduction the outstanding and desirable features of the sport have been preserved. Of the thousand or so plants produced last year, not more than three or four were discarded.

Like its parent, this new variety is an excellent type of geranium for potting and window boxes, because of its compact, dwarf growth which is at the same time very sturdy and vigorous. Its large, evenly-shaped flower clusters are carried on short, heavy stems, and the foliage is very heavy and dark. The strong flower stems do not break easily in the wind.

A distinctive feature is its habit of blooming freely all winter as well as in the summer, either in the greenhouse or in the home. No other variety known to me has this continuous blooming habit throughout the year. It is very prolific in production of blossoms, a single plant having as many as twelve nice clusters at one time.

Distinctive also is the fact that the blossoms of this variety fall less readily than those of any other variety known to me. This feature is valuable because it enables the plants to be handled with much less destruction to the blossoms than is usually the case.

Although blossoms of the parent are single, most of the blossoms of this variety have two rows of petals, the inner row being of smaller petals than the outer row. Few geraniums have this feature of doubleness of blossoms.

The original illustrations accompanying this application show a cluster of the blossoms and a leaf in full color, and a black-and-white drawing indicating the compact growth of the plant.

Following is a description of the flower and plant of this variety of geranium. Color names refer to Ridgeways Color Standards and Nomenclature, except where the dictionary term is obviously intended.

The plant Growth--Bushy; compact; medium in height,

with tendency to dwarfness.

Disease resistance-Good.

Blooming habitContinuous; exceedingly prolific.

Infiorescence-Umbel; large; compact.

Foliage:

Size-Large; leaf average is 4 to 5 inches across when grown in pot, although often 6+ inches is attained.

CoZorDark green with darker and clearly defined marginal zone. Approximately Forest Green (Plate XVII) in center, with marginal region approximately Hellebore Green (Plate XVII) The under surface is Cress Green (Plate XXXI) Shape-Disk-shaped, with lobulated margin.

EdgeSerrately lobed; wavy.

TemtureI-Ieavy; surface soft and fuzzy.

StemShort; heavy; fuzzy; very strong; Rainette Green (Plate XXXI).

Peduncle--Strong and heavy; Rainette Green with occasional bronze overlay; able to resist most winds and thereby avoid breakage.

The flower CaZyxConsists of 5 separated sepals.

Sepals-Long; pointed; hairy on outer surface, smooth on inner surface; Rainette Green (Plate XXXI). PediceZs-Strong; 1 to 1% inches in length. Si2e--Normal. CoZr-Begonia Rose (Plate I). Form-Ovoid. Opening-Opens well; little affected by weather. Florets:

Size1% to 1 inches across. PetaZageUsually double, with 8 to 10 petals. Color-Between Eosine Pink and. Begonia Rose (Plate I) FragranceVery mild.

Lasting qualityExcellent; petals cling tenaciously.

DiscoZoratzon-None.

Petals:

TextureVery substantial.

Shape0bovate margins entire.

Size-% inch long by inch wide. Reproductive organs:

StamensAnthers large; cream-yellow. Filaments fiat; white; medium length; number about seven.

Pistils-Styles 3 to 5. Stigmas 3 to 5; red.

OvaryLong; fuzzy at top, feathery at base;

light green.

Having thus disclosed my discovery, I claim:

A new and distinct variety of geranium plant with features in combination substantially as shown and described, characterized particularly by its compact, dwarf growth; its strong, heavy flower stems; its heaw, dark foliage; its continuous blooming habit the year roundf and its prolific production of large clusters of blossoms of distinctive Eosine Pink to Begonia Rose color, which are usually double and the petals of which cling unusually Well.

FELIX L. STURM.

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