U.S. patent number PP31,637 [Application Number 16/350,845] was granted by the patent office on 2020-04-07 for corydalis plant named `porcelain blue`.
The grantee listed for this patent is John G. Hillier. Invention is credited to John G. Hillier.
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United States Patent |
PP31,637 |
Hillier |
April 7, 2020 |
Corydalis plant named `Porcelain Blue`
Abstract
A new cultivar of Corydalis named `Porcelain Blue` that is
distinguishable by its compact upright plant habit, profuse basal
branching, deeply cut leaves with multiple lobes, and flowers which
are vibrant aquamarine blue in color and which flower over a long
period including summer.
Inventors: |
Hillier; John G. (Hampshire,
GB) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hillier; John G. |
Hampshire |
N/A |
GB |
|
|
Family
ID: |
67474396 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/350,845 |
Filed: |
January 23, 2019 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20190246545 P1 |
Aug 8, 2019 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Feb 6, 2018 [QZ] |
|
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PBR 2018/0427 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
PLT/263.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01H
5/02 (20130101); A01H 6/00 (20180501) |
Current International
Class: |
A01H
5/02 (20180101); A01H 6/00 (20180101) |
Field of
Search: |
;PLT/263.1 |
Primary Examiner: Robinson; Keith O.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Campbell; Barbara Weatherly; James
M. Cochran Freund & Young LLC
Claims
I claim:
1. A new and distinct cultivar of Corydalis plant named `Porcelain
Blue` as described and illustrated herein.
Description
Genus and species: Corydalis flexuosa.
Variety denomination: `Porcelain Blue`.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. 119
(f) to the application for European Community Plant Variety Rights
which was filed for the instant plant variety on Feb. 6, 2018, File
Number 2018/0427.
BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT
The present disclosure relates to a new and distinct cultivar of
Corydalis plant, also known as a Blue Corydalis, a perennial plant
that is grown for use as an ornamental landscape and container
plant. The new variety will be referred to hereinafter by the
cultivar name `Porcelain Blue`.
`Porcelain Blue` originated and was selected by the inventor as a
single plant which the inventor had observed at the inventor's
nursery in Romsey, Hampshire, United Kingdom. For many years prior
to 2005, the inventor's nursery maintained a collection of named
and unnamed plants (all unpatented) of the species Corydalis
flexuosa. New plants were raised from seed collected from plants
within the collection which had set seed as a result of exposure to
open pollination. In 2005, the inventor observed that one plant,
subsequently named `Porcelain Blue` exhibited a denser and stiffer
habit relative to plants which are typical of the species parent
and relative to plants which are generally raised from seed of the
species parent. The inventor observed that `Porcelain Blue` bore
grey-green leaves which are more deeply cut than leaves of the
species. The inventor has maintained the original plant of
`Porcelain Blue` since 2005 and has observed in particular that
`Porcelain Blue` has a very long flowering period, including the
summer months when the species itself tends to become dormant and
out-of-flower.
`Porcelain Blue` was first asexually propagated in 2010 using the
method of division in a greenhouse at the inventors nursery in
Romsey, Hampshire, United Kingdom. The inventor has confirmed that
`Porcelain Blue` is stable and reproduces true to type in
successive generations of asexual reproduction.
SUMMARY
The following traits have been repeatedly observed and represent
the distinguishing characteristics of `Porcelain Blue`. `Porcelain
Blue` has not been tested under all possible conditions and
phenotypic differences may be observed with variations in
environmental, climatic, and cultural conditions, without however,
any variance in genotype. 1. `Porcelain Blue` exhibits a compact
broad plant habit. 2. After 18 months' growth in a one gallon
container, `Porcelain Blue` achieves height and breadth of 35 cm.
3. `Porcelain Blue` exhibits profuse basal branching. 4. The
foliage color of `Porcelain Blue` is grey-green in color. 5. The
leaves of `Porcelain Blue` are deeply cut with multiple lobes. 6.
The flowers of `Porcelain Blue` are vibrant aquamarine blue in
color. 7. `Porcelain Blue` flowers over a long period. 8.
`Porcelain Blue` does not exhibit summer flowering dormancy.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS
The accompanying color photographs illustrate the overall
appearance of `Porcelain Blue` showing the colors as true as it is
reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this
type. Colors in the drawing may differ from the color values cited
in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe
the actual colors of the new variety `Porcelain Blue`.
FIG. 1 shows a mature plant of `Porcelain Blue`.
FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of the inflorescence of `Porcelain
Blue`.
Photographs were taken in April 2017 in Santa Barbara, Calif. using
an 18 months old plant (from a single division) grown out of doors
in full sun.
BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT
The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive
characteristics of `Porcelain Blue`. Observations, measurements,
values, and comparisons were collected between April 2018 and
January 2019 in Santa Barbara, Calif. from an 18 to 24 months old
plant which was growing outdoors in full sun in a 1 gallon
container. The plant had been grown naturally, without any pinching
or use of chemical growth regulator. Color determinations were made
in accordance with The 2007 Royal Horticultural Society Colour
Chart from London England, except where general color terms of
ordinary dictionary significance are used. Classification:
Family.--Fumariaceae. Genus.--Corydalis. Species.--flexuosa. Common
name.--Blue Corydalis. Parentage: Seedling raised from the species
Corydalis flexuosa (unnamed, unpatented). Plant: Propagation
method.--Division, tissue culture. Rooting system.--Rhizomatous.
Rhizomes horizontal, short and scaly giving rise to fine fibrous
roots. Rhizome color ranges between N199C and 202A.
Vigor.--Vigorous basal branching. Time to develop
roots.--Approximately 3 weeks are required for a newly planted
division to become established on its own rhizome and roots. Crop
time.--Approximately 14 to 16 weeks are required to produce a
flowering plant in a 1 gallon container from a rooted division or
liner. Suggested container size.--1 gallon container and larger if
desired. Use.--Ornamental for use as a landscape plant or container
plant. Type.--Perennial. Overall dimensions.--After one year's
growth in a 1 gallon: 35 cm in height (including the
inflorescence), 35 cm in width. Cultural requirements.--Grow in
full sun with moderate water and well-draining soil.
Hardiness.--USDA Zone 5. Growth habit.--Compact, broad habit,
flower stems gently arching. Blooming season.--At least from spring
until fall. `Porcelain Blue` does not exhibit summer flowering
dormancy and has been observed to flower in mild climates all year
round. Lastingness of blooms.--Each inflorescence has some flower
for 14 days, individual flowers last for 5 to 7 days. Stems
(measured from soil emergence to base of inflorescence):
Length.--25 cm. Diameter.--3 mm. Color.--Ranges between 174B and
N186A. Shape.--Rounded tetragonal. Texture.--Glabrous.
Strength.--Stiff, wiry. Stems will arch under the weight of full
inflorescence. Lateral stems.--Rarely present. Where present,
lateral stems arise very low down, at or slightly above soil
surface. Length.--25 cm. Diameter.--3 mm. Color.--Ranges between
174B and N186A. Shape.--Rounded tetragonal. Leaves: Type,
arrangement.--Compound, biternate, alternate.
Attachment.--Petiolate (short petioles) except for leaflets on
lateral stems, sessile. Quantity per stem.--3 to 5. Shape.--Deltoid
overall. Division.--Deeply irregularly divided, typically into 3
primary lobes which are further divided into three secondary lobes.
Length (leaf overall).--5 cm to 8 cm. Width (leaf overall).--3 cm
to 5 cm. Length (each lobe, typical).--Primary lobes 3 cm,
secondary lobes 2 cm. Width (each lobe, typical).--Primary lobes 2
cm, secondary lobes 1 cm. Thickness.--0.5 mm to 1.0 mm, slightly
fleshy. Venation.--Palmate. Texture (both surfaces).--Glaucous.
Color (both surfaces).--Ranges between N138C and 189A.
Margin.--Entire. Apex.--Obtuse. Base.--Cuneate. Petiole:
Shape.--Round. Length.--1 cm to 4 cm. Width.--2 mm.
Texture.--Glabrous. Color.--189A. Peduncle: Length.--8 cm.
Diameter.--3 mm. Shape.--Rounded tetragonal. Texture.--Glaucous.
Color.--178A, becoming N170B to 172B towards and within the
inflorescence. Inflorescence: Type.--Raceme Dimensions.--8 cm to 10
cm in overall length, 4 cm to 5 cm in overall diameter. Number of
flowers per raceme.--16 to 20. Bloom period.--At least from April
to October. Year-round flowering has been observed in warm winter
climates. Lastingness of color in inflorescence.--14 days. Pedicel:
Length.--8 cm. Diameter.--3 mm. Shape.--Round. Texture.--Glaucous.
Color.--172B. Flowers: Type.--Zygomorphic. Buds.--Length (before
opening): 1.5 cm. Diameter (before opening): 0.75 cm. Shape:
Tubular, obovate. Color: Emerges 147C, developing blue 107B on
upper surface. Flowers.--Corolla: Consists of fused pairs of upper
and lower petals. All petals fuse to form spur at base. Corolla
tube length: 3.5 cm. Corolla tube diameter: 1 cm. Shape: Tubular.
Color: Outwardly 107B; opens to expose inner surfaces of upper and
lower petals, 101D to NN155C. Lastingness of flower.--5 to 7 days.
Fragrance.--Sweet, honeyed. Sepals: Not observed, absent. Petals:
Upper petals.--Quantity: 2, fused longitudinally except free apex.
Upper petals form a 2 mm high crest towards, but not reaching, the
apex. Dimensions (both petals as fused): 3.5 cm in length, 0.8 cm
in width at widest section. Color (outside surface): Predominantly
107B, with occasional patches of very pale blue to white (108D to
NN155C) towards apex and on crest. Apex color commences N92A as
flower opens, becoming 107B as upper and lower petals separate.
Color (inside surface): 101D to NN155C. Texture: Glabrous (both
surfaces), lustrous (outer surface). Apex: Free (unfused), shape
acute. Apex margin color, N92A. Base (spur): Rounded. Spur shape:
Narrowly cylindrical, curved downwards. Spur dimensions: 4 mm in
length, 1.5 mm in diameter. Spur color: 107B. Spur texture:
Glabrous. Lower petals.--Quantity: 2, fused longitudinally,
terminating in small claw at apex. Dimensions (both petals as
fused): 3.5 cm in length, 0.8 cm in width. Color (outside surface):
101D becoming darker 107B towards apex and base. Color (inside
surface): 101D and white NN155C. Texture (both surfaces): Glabrous.
Apex: Mucronate, recurved claw-like. Apex margin color, N92A. Base:
Rounded. Reproductive organs: Stamens.--Two, 15 mm in length,
consisting of close bundle of 3 translucent filaments, color N155C.
Anthers.--Small, globular, 2 mm in diameter, color 155B.
Pollen.--Absent. Pistil.--One, 8 mm in length. Stigma.--Flattened
quadrangular with 4 globular appendages, approximately 1 mm in
diameter, color 1D. Style.--4 mm in length, obscured by 4 to 6
papillae closely adjacent to style. Papillae white NN155C with dark
grey-black (between 202B and 202A) longitudinal streaks.
Ovary.--Not observed. Seed: Not observed in repeated observations.
Disease and pest resistance or susceptibility: None observed.
COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL LINES AND KNOWN VARIETY
`Porcelain Blue` is distinguishable from the species parent
Corydalis flexuosa as follows. Whereas plants typically raised from
seed of the species grow with a loose, open habit and flower only
or mainly in the spring, `Porcelain Blue` exhibits vigorous basal
branching and a very long flowering season, including summer.
`Porcelain Blue` may be compared with many varieties of Corydalis
flexuosa which are known to the inventor, including `Purple Leaf`
(unpatented), `Pere David` (unpatented), `China Blue` (unpatented)
and `Blue Panda` (unpatented). All of these varieties exhibit
summer flowering dormancy whereas `Porcelain Blue` flowers
continuously through the summer months. In addition, the variety
`Purple Leaf` bears purple-tinged foliage and pink-tinged flowers,
and the variety `Pere David` exhibits a broadly spreading plant
habit.
`Porcelain Blue` may also be compared with Corydalis Plant Named
`COURIBLUE` (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,277). Whereas both varieties
`Porcelain Blue` and `COURIBLUE` bear blue flowers, the foliage of
`Porcelain Blue` is distinguishable by its grey-green color and by
its deeply cut compound leaves. In addition, the growth habit and
the presentation of the flowers of `COURIBLUE` is upright whereas
`Porcelain Blue` exhibits a broader plant habit and gently arching
flower stems.
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