U.S. patent number PP31,215 [Application Number 15/969,609] was granted by the patent office on 2019-12-10 for hosta plant named `wu hoo`.
The grantee listed for this patent is Mark Lee Malaguerra, Scott Christopher Smith. Invention is credited to Mark Lee Malaguerra, Scott Christopher Smith.
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United States Patent |
PP31,215 |
Malaguerra , et al. |
December 10, 2019 |
Hosta plant named `Wu Hoo`
Abstract
A new and distinct cultivar of Hosta named `Wu Hoo`,
characterized by its very large sized mounding clump, blue-green
leaves with medium green margins. In combination these traits set
`Wu Hoo` apart from all other existing varieties of Hosta known to
the inventor.
Inventors: |
Malaguerra; Mark Lee (Atlanta,
GA), Smith; Scott Christopher (Atlanta, GA) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Malaguerra; Mark Lee
Smith; Scott Christopher |
Atlanta
Atlanta |
GA
GA |
US
US |
|
|
Family
ID: |
68383496 |
Appl.
No.: |
15/969,609 |
Filed: |
May 2, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
PLT/353 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01H
6/12 (20180501); A01H 5/12 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A01H
5/12 (20180101); A01H 6/12 (20180101) |
Field of
Search: |
;PLT/353 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
The Georgia Hosta Society. Georgia Hosta Notes, vol. 33, No. 4,
2017, retrieved on Apr. 8, 2019, retrieved from the Internet at
https://gahosta.org/resources/Documents/October%20Newsletter%20Final%20Co-
py.pdf, pp. 1 and 7. (Year: 2017). cited by examiner.
|
Primary Examiner: Hwu; June
Claims
We claim:
1. A new and distinct cultivar of Hosta plant named `Wu Hoo` as
illustrated and described herein.
Description
Latin name: Hosta hybrid.
Variety denomination: `Wu Hoo`.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of
Hosta plant, botanically known as Hosta, hereinafter referred to by
the cultivar name `Wu Hoo`.
The new plant was identified as a unique cultivar by the Inventor
in Atlanta, USA as an offshoot of the parent plant Hosta `Empress
Wu`. The offshoot exhibited different physical characteristics from
the parent plant (Hosta `Empress Wu`) approximately 12 months after
said parent plant was initially planted and grown in a pot in the
Atlanta, Ga. garden of Mark Malaguerra and Scott Smith. Upon
identification of the variation from the main plant, the new plant
that exhibited unique characteristics was separated from the main
plant and grown separately to verify that it would continue to
exhibit the unique characteristics over time.
The parent plant, `Empress Wu` is a U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,774 and
has been well documented as to its primary characteristics. The
hybrid of `Empress Wu` that is the subject of this patent
application exhibits significantly different characteristics from
the parent so as to warrant recognition as an entirely separate
hybrid. This hybrid has been recognized and registered by the
American Hosta Society as Hosta `Wu Hoo`.
As of the initial filing, there was one (1) other registered hybrid
of `Empress Wu`, Hosta `Wu La La` (PPAF). `Wu Hoo` differs from `Wu
La La` in that the leaves of `Wu Hoo` are more rounded than `Wu La
La` which has heart shaped leaves. The margin variegation of `Wu
Hoo` are significantly wider than that which is exhibited by `Wu La
La`. In addition, the leaves of `Wu La La` exhibit a wavy texture
in the centermost portions of the leaves in a similar manner to
`Empress Wu` whereas `Wu Hoo` does not exhibit the wavy texture in
the leaf centers.
The new plant differs from its parent primarily in that the margin
areas of the leaves produce anthocyanins that produce a blue-green
variegation where the parent plant was solid green on the upper
surface of the leaf. The new plant also exhibits leaves which are
more rounded with slight convex curvature which is significantly
different from the parent plant which displays a slight concave, to
almost flat curvature to the leaves and a moderate corrugation or
waviness to the leaf structure.
The flower scapes and flowers of both the parent plant and the
hybrid `Wu Hoo` appear identical both in terms of size and color
but also in terms of time of year both plants flower in the
Atlanta, Ga. garden in which they are planted.
Asexual propagation of the new cultivar by division in 2014 in
Atlanta, Ga. USA and by meristem tissue culture in 2015 in Olathe,
Kans. USA has shown the unique and distinct characteristics of this
new plant are stable and reproduce true to type in successive
generations. These asexually propagated plants are currently being
grown in a greenhouse by Green Hill Farm. The first asexually
reproduced plants which were propagated by meristem tissue culture
in 2015 are currently growing in the Atlanta, Ga. and Waynesville,
N.C. gardens of Mark Malaguerra and Scott Smith and exhibit the
same physical characteristics as the originally identified
hybrid.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are
determined to be the unique characteristics of `Wu Hoo`. These
characteristics in combination distinguish the new Hosta as a new
and unique cultivar: 1. Very large sized mounding clump; 2. Leaves
emerge with blue-green centers and irregular light-green margins,
the margins are at least 1/2 inch in width; 3. Leaves age to a
blue-green center with irregular medium green margin; 4. Leaves are
very large, rounded and corrugated; 5. Leaves are slightly convex;
6. Light lavender flowers on green scapes.
The new Hosta can be compared to the cultivar, Hosta `Empress Wu`
(patented). In the new Hosta, the leaves are variegated with a
light to medium-green margin on blue-green leaves as compared to
the leaves of Hosta `Empress Wu` which are solid blue-green. The
leaves of the new Hosta are more rounded and have a heavier
substance than `Empress Wu`. Where the leaves of `Empress Wu` have
a slight curve upwards, the substance of `Wu Hoo` differs in that
it is less rigid to the extent that the leaves have a slight
downward curve.
Other aspects of the new Hosta such as scapes, flowers and seeds
are consistent with the description of Hosta `Empress Wu."
The new Hosta cultivar has not been observed under all possible
environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary to some extent
with variations in environmental conditions such as temperature,
fertility and light intensity, but without any variance in the
genotype.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS
The accompanying color photographs illustrate the overall
appearance of the new cultivar including its unique traits as a 4
year old plant growing in a 4 gallon container. The colors are as
true as is reasonably possible with conventional photography.
FIG. 1 was taken in May of 2014 and comprises a top perspective of
the entire plant.
FIG. 2 was taken May of 2014 and shows parent plant `Empress Wu`
from which the hybrid was taken.
FIG. 3 was taken in May of 2017 and shows a close up of the flower
scape.
FIG. 4 shows the entire clump of `Wu Hoo` in the ground (parent
plant in background) and was taken in June of 2017.
FIG. 5 was taken in June of 2017 and shows the base of the
plant.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In the following description, color references are made to The
Royal Horticultural Society's Colour Chart (2001 edition) except
where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.
The following observations and measurements describe a 4-year old
plant growing in a four (4) gallon container, as depicted in the
accompanying photographs, which was grown outdoors in in the
Atlanta, Ga., USA garden of Mark Malaguerra and Scott Smith.
Botanical classification: Hosta `Wu Hoo`. Parentage: Hosta `Empress
Wu` (patented). Propagation: Method.--By division and meristem
tissue culture. Plant description: Plant habit.--Very large,
mounding, symmetrical. Culture.--Light to medium shade in moist,
well-drained soil. Plant type.--Herbaceous rhizomatous perennial.
Plant height.--24 inches. Plant width.--At least 46 inches. Growth
rate.--Vigorous. Root system.--Normal, fleshy, branching from
central rhizome. Disease resistance.--No known resistance or
susceptibility to disease known to Hosta has been observed. Plant
hardiness zone.--3-9. Foliage description.--Leaf shape -- Nearly
Round, broadly cordate with apiculate leaf apex. Slight twisting at
apex present in most leaves. Leaf blistering is absent under
typical growing conditions. For Hosta, typical growing conditions
are protection from direct sun during summer months in Atlanta, Ga.
Leaf margin -- slightly rippled. Leaf surface -- Dull blue with
2-inch, light green margins. Leaf texture -- Moderate substance,
veins impressed, leaves cup downward on mature leaves. Leaf
dimensions -- 17 inches in width, 17 inches in length. Venation
pattern -- Campylodrome with 15 to 16 pairs of veins, the same
blue-green color as the leaves (about RHS 133C). Leaf color -- The
leaves in spring are blue-green (about RHS 133C) with a 2-inch
light green margin (about RHS 134C). The back of the leaves is a
dull green (about RHS 138C). The leaves become dark green and
slightly glaucous (about RHS 133A) with green margins becoming
slightly more dark (about RHS 134B) later in the season during the
blooming. Petiole description: Plant petioles have a length of
approximately 19 to 20 inches with a diameter of about 0.78 inches
wide. The petiole color is moderate green (RHS 142B). Flower
description: Bloom period.--Late Spring (late May -- mid June in
Atlanta, Ga. which is a climate zone of 7b to 8). Fragrance.--None.
Flower arrangement.--Raceme of numerous single horizontal to
drooping flowers comprised of six tepals. The number of flowers per
raceme varies from about 30 to 40 with each flower lasting
approximately one day over a period of about 4 weeks. Flower
shape.--Clavate with bluntly acute apex and longer thin base.
Perianth.--Funnel in shape. Flower dimensions.--Approximately 1.5
inches wide and 2.5 inches long. Flower color.--Light lavender
(about RHS 91B). Bud color.--Light lavender (about RHS 92D). Bud
dimensions.--21/4 inches in length and 1/2 inches in width. Tepal
color.--Inner tepal color is about RHS 91D on the outside and
shades to about RHS 76C on the inside. Tepal apex shape.--Acute.
Tepal dimensions.--Approximately 2.5 inches long and 1.5 inches
wide. Bract color.--Lowest bracts approximately RHS 138B on top and
bottom surfaces and approximately RHS 138D on the basal top
portion. Bract length.--Lowest are up to 3.25 inches long and 0.6
inches wide, growing progressively smaller in both length and
width. Peduncle.--One per mature division. Average length is
forty-two (42) inches tall at full maturity.times.1/4 inch diameter
at base. Emerges above the leaf scope upright, becoming moderately
arching as it matures. Peduncle color is RHS 138D. Pedicel.--7/8
inches in length.times. 1/16 inch in diameter. Color is closest to
RHS 138D. Corolla.--Average length of the corolla tube is 21/4
inches. The outer lobes of the corolla average 1/4 in length. The
inner corolla has an average length of 1 inch. Pollen.--Color is
close to RHS 14A. Scape description: Number.--The number of scapes
per plant is dependent on the maturity of the plant. Each mature
eye comprising the clump may produce a single flower scape under
normal growing conditions. Description of reproductive organs: The
reproductive organs are typical of the genus Hosta and comprise six
stamens and a compound ovary having three locules. The stamen color
is yellowish white (about RHS 155B); the anther color is moderate
red (about RHS 183C); the pistil color is yellowish white (about
RHS 155B); and the stigma color is yellowish white (about RHS
155B). The stamen length is about 21/2 inches and the pistil length
is about 23/4 inches, curved 180 degrees at the end. Fruit:
Tri-dehiscent capsule about 11/8 inches long and 3/16 inches in
diameter; variable in color strong yellowish green (about RHS143C)
with more red or more green. Seed development: Single winged drupe
about 1/2 inches long and 1/8 inches wide, number per pod variable
about 5 to 10, color dark gray purple (about RHS 202A). Root
development: From transfer to rooting media in tissue culture,
rooting takes approximately 4 weeks at about 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
After transfer from stage III in tissue culture to planting into
soil in a greenhouse, a well rooted plant is produced in
approximately 8 weeks with a daytime temperature of about 68
degrees Fahrenheit and a soil temperature of about 78 degrees
Fahrenheit.
* * * * *
References