USPP487P - Freesia plant - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 26, 1941. c N BQURGONDIEN Plant Pat. 487

FREESIA PLANT Filed April 29, 1941 PLANT PATENT AGENT Patented Aug. 26, 1941 Plant Pat. 48 7 FREESIA PLANT Cornelius John Van Bourgondien, Babylon, N. Y.,

assignor to C. J. Van Bourgondien, Inc., Babylon, N. Y.

Application April 29, 1941, Serial No. 391,010

1 Claim.

My present invention relates to improvements in freesia varieties and falls in the class known as giant freesias. The principal object of my invention is to produce a freesia variety which is sturdy and tall, which has a long blooming reason, and which produces large blossoms predominantly white and of good substance.

Mynew variety is a seedling resulting from definite breeding efforts carried on by me, its seed parent' being Albatre Supreme and its pollen parent the variety Fairy. It has been asexually reproduced for several years and its principal qualities have proved to be permanently fixed.

This new variety is recognized as being superior, as it received a first prize at the International Flower Show in March, 194.1, over all other white varieties.

An outstanding feature of the variety is its very long blooming season. The first blossoms are usually out about January 15th and plenty of blossoms are still available during the first week in April, making a blooming season of approximately three months. Also outstanding is the firm and fleshy substance of its blossoms, which feature enables them to last exceptionally long and to be shipped to excellent advantage. The plant grows unusually tall and is very sturdy more so than any white ireesia now on the market. The foliage is shorter in proportion to the flower stems than in other white varieties and does not interfere with cutting the flowers.

The original illustration accompanying this application shows a blooming spike with several branches, together with some of the foliage. It

is impossible, however, for the artist to show the waxy-white appearance of the open blossoms.

Following is a detailed description of the plant and flower of this new variety. Color plate references are to Ridgeways Color Standards and Nomenclature.

The plant Corms: Very large both in size and number, often producing as many as 15 or 16 to the plant. Stems: The main flower stem is approximately 24 inches in length-about 8 inches from highest lateral branch to flower head. The principal flower stems are very thick, strong and upright and hold the flowers well above the foliage. Their sturdiness is very marked.

Foliage: Unusually abundant; leaves usually in clusters of 3 or 4; Parrot Green (Plate VI); narrow and spearlike, averaging inch in width at their broadest point; taper gradually, ending in a sharp point; flat with midrib very prominent; 12 to 15 inches high, the flowers growing much above the foliage; proportionately shorter than foliageof other white va-. rieties.

The flower Arrangement: The flowers of a single stem or spike are borne in an upright position along a jointed rachis which is only slightly irregular and is bent almost at right angles to the stem in such a way that the first blossom of the group appears to be a vertical extension of the stem or peduncle. From four to seven blossoms are found on each spike and they are spaced from to /2 inch apart on the rachis, this spacing being very close for flowers of such great size. Two to four of the blossoms on each spike are open at one time, with the remaining buds in varying stages of opening.

Sepals: Two; broad; sheath-like; slightly more than /2 inch in length; approximately Parrot Green (Plate VI).

Form: The perianth is long and funnel-shaped, wlth very little constriction of the throat which is long and tapering. Petals are gently curved and spread in lily-like form, seldom spreading at right angles to the throat.

Size: Very large; length approximately 3 inches;

spread when fully open, 2% to 2 inches.

Fragrance: Slight; delicate.

Petals: Six; very firm and substantial; waxy in appearance; lobes broadly oval, with gently rounded tip; sometimes overlapping; do not reflex or fold at midrib.

Color: The general color effect of the newly opened blossoms is pure waxy white with a very slight tint of Vinaceous Lavender (Plate XLIV). This lavender tint is most strongly evident in the opening buds. As the flower opens the tint on the outer surface becomes lighter and finally disappears entirely on most specimens. No lavender whatever is visible on the inside surface of the petals. The inside of the throat is from Light Cadmium to Lemon Chrome (Plate IV) and because of the translucence of the petals, the outside of the throat appears to be approximately Naples Yellow (Plate XVI). The petal opposite the stamens usually bears a slight splotch of Light Cadmium. When plants are grown at a temperature of 60 degrees the mature flower is completely waxy-white with a golden yellow throat, but it may have a slight lavender tint on the outer surface if grown at a temperatur of 46 to 50 degrees.

Keeping quality: This variety keeps exceptionally well, probably due to the firm substance of the flowers. This quality makes it an excellent shipper.

Reproductive organs:

Stamens-Three. Filaments arise from the throat, extend up one side of the perianth and are topped by gracefully curved gray anthers. The lower parts of the filaments are yellow and are attached to the sides of the throat. But extending from the top those of No. 237.

of the throat for to 1 inch, the filaments are free and of a pure white color. Pistz'ls.Compound, with six branches; white; free the entire length; situated amidst the stamens, but arising considerably above them.

Comparison 5. The flowers of my variety have much firmer substance, their lasting quality being approximately 25 percent greater than that of No. 237.

6. The plan of my variety is taller than No. 237 and other white varieties, although the foliage is no taller and does not interfere with flower cutting.

7. My variety produces a greater quantity of larger corms and is therefore more easily reproduced.

Having thus disclosed my invention, I claim:

The new and distinct variety of giant freesia plant herein shown and described, characterized particularly by its large and vigorous growth; its prolific production of very large corms; its exceedingly sturdy, tall and upright flower'stems; its prolific production of very large, fleshy flowers having particularly splendid keeping qualities; its exceptionally long blossoming season; and the excellent substance and predominantly waxy.- white, lily-like appearance of its'flowers as indicated.

CORNELIUS J. VAN BOURGONDIENJ

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