U.S. patent number PP33,424 [Application Number 17/190,535] was granted by the patent office on 2021-08-31 for verbena plant named `balfireitim`.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Ball Horticultural Company. The grantee listed for this patent is Ball Horticultural Company. Invention is credited to Laura L. Masor.
United States Patent |
PP33,424 |
Masor |
August 31, 2021 |
Verbena plant named `Balfireitim`
Abstract
A new and distinct cultivar of Verbena plant named
`Balfireitim`, characterized by its bright white-colored flowers,
dark green-colored foliage, and moderately vigorous,
mounded-spreading growth habit, is disclosed.
Inventors: |
Masor; Laura L. (Grover Beach,
CA) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Ball Horticultural Company |
West Chicago |
IL |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Ball Horticultural Company
(West Chicago, IL)
|
Appl.
No.: |
17/190,535 |
Filed: |
March 3, 2021 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
PLT/308 |
Current International
Class: |
A01H
6/86 (20180101); A01H 5/02 (20180101) |
Field of
Search: |
;PLT/308 |
Primary Examiner: Para; Annette H
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Charles; Audrey
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A new and distinct cultivar of Verbena plant named
`Balfireitim`, substantially as herein illustrated and described.
Description
Latin name of genus and species of plant claimed: Verbena
hybrid.
Variety denomination: `Balfireitim`.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of
Verbena plant botanically known as Verbena hybrid and hereinafter
referred to by the cultivar name `Balfireitim`.
The new cultivar originated in a controlled breeding program in
Arroyo Grande, Calif. during July 2017. The objective of the
breeding program was the development of Verbena cultivars that are
suited for use in hanging baskets, durable to environmental
stresses, and have a mounded-spreading growth habit.
The new Verbena cultivar is the result of cross-pollination. The
female (seed) parent of the new cultivar is the proprietary Verbena
hybrid breeding selection coded PN10300-1, not patented,
characterized by its white-colored flowers, dark green-colored
foliage, and moderately vigorous, mounded-spreading growth habit.
The male (pollen) parent of the new cultivar is the proprietary
Verbena hybrid breeding selection coded PN8979-2, not patented,
characterized by its white-colored flowers, medium green-colored
foliage, and moderately vigorous, mounded-spreading growth habit.
The new cultivar was selected as a single flowering plant within
the progeny of the above stated cross-pollination during March 2018
in a controlled environment in Arroyo Grande, Calif.
Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by terminal stem cuttings
since March 2018 in Arroyo Grande, Calif. and West Chicago, Ill.
has demonstrated that the new cultivar reproduces true to type with
all of the characteristics, as herein described, firmly fixed and
retained through successive generations of such asexual
propagation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The following characteristics of the new cultivar have been
repeatedly observed and can be used to distinguish `Balfireitim` as
a new and distinct cultivar of Verbena plant: 1. Bright
white-colored flowers; 2. Dark green-colored foliage; and 3.
Moderately vigorous, mounded-spreading growth habit.
Plants of the new cultivar differ from plants of the female parent
primarily in having slightly lighter green-colored foliage and a
higher level of resistance to powdery mildew as observed in field
trials. Plants of the new cultivar differ from plants of the male
parent primarily in being earlier to flower.
Of the many commercially available Verbena cultivars, the most
similar in comparison to the new cultivar is Firehouse Light Pink
`Balfirelitpi`, not patented. However, in side by side comparisons,
plants of the new cultivar differ from plants of `Balfirelitpi` in
at least the following characteristics: 1. Plants of the new
cultivar are less vigorous than plants of `Balfirelitpi`; and 2.
Plants of the new cultivar have white-colored flowers unlike the
light pink-colored flowers of plants of `Balfirelitpi`.
The new cultivar can also be compared to Firehouse White
`Balfireitim`, not patented. However, in side by side comparisons,
plants of the new cultivar differ from plants of `Balfireitim` in
at least the following characteristics: 1. Plants of the new
cultivar flower one week earlier than plants of `Balfireitim`; 2.
Plants of the new cultivar have more branches per plant than plants
of `Balfireitim`; and 3. Plants of the new cultivar have more
inflorescences per plant than plants of `Balfireitim`.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS
The accompanying photographs show, as nearly true as it is
reasonably possible to make the same in color illustrations of this
type, typical flower and foliage characteristics of the new
cultivar. Colors in the photographs differ slightly from the color
values cited in the detailed description, which accurately
describes the colors of `Balfireitim`. The approximately
14-week-old plants were grown in 6-inch pots for approximately 9
weeks in a greenhouse in West Chicago, Ill. Plants were given one
pinch three weeks prior to transplant.
FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of the overall growth and flowering
habit of `Balfireitim`.
FIG. 2 illustrates a close-up view of an individual inflorescence
of `Balfireitim`.
DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION
The new cultivar has not been observed under all possible
environmental conditions to date. Accordingly, it is possible that
the phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in the environment,
such as temperature, light intensity, and day length, without,
however, any variance in genotype.
The chart used in the identification of colors described herein is
The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London,
England, 2015 edition, except where general color terms of ordinary
significance are used. The color values were determined in January
2021 under natural light conditions in Naperville, Ill.
The following descriptions and measurements describe approximately
14-week-old plants produced from cuttings from stock plants and
grown in a glass-covered greenhouse under conditions comparable to
those used in commercial practice. The plants were grown in West
Chicago, Ill. in 6-inch pots for approximately 9 weeks utilizing a
soilless growth medium. Plants were given one pinch three weeks
prior to transplant. Greenhouse temperatures were maintained at
approximately 70.degree. F. to 75.degree. F. (21.degree. C. to
24.degree. C.) during the day and approximately 68.degree. F. to
74.degree. F. (20.degree. C. to 23.degree. C.) during the night.
Supplemental lighting was used. Measurements and numerical values
represent averages of typical plants. Botanical classification:
Verbena hybrid `Balfireitim`. Parentage: Female
parent.--Proprietary Verbena hybrid breeding selection coded
PN10300-1, not patented. Male parent.--Proprietary Verbena hybrid
breeding selection coded PN8979-2, not patented. Propagation: Type
cutting.--Terminal stem. Time to initiate roots.--Approximately 6
to 9 days. Time to produce a rooted cutting.--Approximately 24 to
28 days. Root description.--Fibrous. Rooting habit.--Freely
branching. Plant description: Commercial crop time.--Approximately
5 to 7 weeks from a rooted cutting to finish in a 10 cm pot. Growth
habit and general appearance.--Moderately vigorous,
mounded-spreading. Size.--Height from soil level to top of plant
plane: Approximately 10.0 cm. Width: Approximately 37.0 cm.
Branching habit.--Freely branching, pinching enhances basal
branching. Quantity of main branches per plant: Approximately 5.
Branch.--Shape: Square in cross section. Strength: Strong. Length:
Approximately 14.5 cm. Diameter: Approximately 2.5 mm. Length of
central internode: Approximately 1.4 cm. Texture: Densely pubescent
with a mixture of glandular and nonglandular hairs. Gland color:
Colorless, transparent. Color of young stems: 144A. Color of mature
stems: 146B. Foliage description: General description.--Quantity of
leaves per main branch: Approximately 10. Fragrance: None detected.
Form: Simple. Arrangement: Opposite. Leaves.--Aspect: Perpendicular
to stem, obtuse angle with age. Shape: Ovate to oblong. Margin:
Crenate. Apex: Broadly acute. Base: Truncate. Venation pattern:
Pinnate. Length of mature leaf: Approximately 3.5 cm. Width of
mature leaf: Approximately 2.2 cm. Texture of upper surface:
Densely pubescent. Texture of lower surface: Densely pubescent with
a mixture of glandular and nonglandular hairs. Gland color:
Colorless, transparent. Color of upper surface of young and mature
foliage: Closest to 137A with venation of 147C. Color of lower
surface of young and mature foliage: Closest to 137B with venation
of 147C. Petiole.--Length: Approximately 4.0 mm. Diameter:
Approximately 2.0 mm. Texture: Densely pubescent with a mixture of
glandular and nonglandular hairs. Gland color: Colorless,
transparent. Color: 147C to 147D. Flowering description: Flowering
habit.--`Balfireitin` is freely flowering under outdoor growing
conditions with substantially continuous blooming from spring
through autumn and year-round in greenhouse environment.
Lastingness of individual flower on the plant.--Approximately 5 to
7 days. Inflorescence description: General description.--Type:
Corymb. Shape: Hemispherical. Quantity per plant: Approximately 13.
Fragrance: None detected. Length or height: 3.5 cm. Width:
Approximately 6.0 cm. Quantity of fully open flowers per
inflorescence: Approximately 19. Peduncle.--Strength: Strong.
Aspect: Erect. Length: Approximately 3.5 cm. Diameter:
Approximately 2.0 mm. Texture: Densely pubescent with a mixture of
glandular and nonglandular hairs. Gland color: Colorless,
transparent. Color: 144A. Flower description: General
description.--Type: Sessile, salverform. Bud.--Rate of opening:
Generally takes 2 to 3 days for bud to progress from first color to
fully open flower. Quantity of unopened inflorescences per plant:
Approximately 4. Bud just before opening.--Shape: Elongated,
globular at apex. Length: Approximately 1.4 cm. Diameter:
Approximately 3.0 mm. Color: Petal portion NN155A, sepal portion
137B. Corolla.--Shape: Round. Diameter: Approximately 2.2 cm.
Depth: Approximately 3.0 cm. Petals.--Quantity: 5, fused at base
forming a tube. Shape: Obovate. Appearance: Matte. Margin: Entire.
Apex: Emarginate. Length of upper petals from tube: Approximately
1.0 cm. Width of upper petals: Approximately 9.0 mm. Length of
lateral petals from tube: Approximately 1.1 cm. Width of lateral
petals: Approximately 1.0 cm. Length of lower petal from tube:
Approximately 1.1 cm. Width of lower petal: Approximately 1.0 cm.
Texture of upper surface: Glabrous with glandular pubescent base.
Texture of lower surface: Sparsely pubescent with a mixture of
glandular and nonglandular hairs. Gland color: Colorless,
transparent. Color of upper surface when first and fully open:
NN155D with 145C at throat opening. Color of lower surface when
first and fully open: NN155D. Color of whiskers surrounding the
opening of the corolla tube: NN155D. Corolla tube.--Length:
Approximately 2.1 cm. Diameter at proximal end: Approximately 1.0
mm. Diameter at distal end: Approximately 2.0 mm. Texture of outer
surface: Upper half moderately glandular pubescent, lower half
glabrous. Gland color: Colorless, transparent. Texture of inner
surface: Upper half densely pubescent, lower half glabrous. Color
of outer surface: NN155D with 145D at distal end. Color of inner
surface: NN155D with 145C at throat opening. Calyx.--Shape: Tubular
with 5 acute tips. Length: Approximately 1.4 cm. Width:
Approximately 3.0 mm. Sepals.--Quantity per flower: 5, fused at
base. Shape: Linear. Apex: Acute. Length: Approximately 1.4 cm.
Width: Approximately 1.0 mm. Texture of inner surface: Moderately
pubescent. Texture of outer surface: Densely pubescent with a
mixture of glandular and nonglandular hairs. Gland color:
Colorless, transparent. Color of inner and outer surfaces: 137B.
Stipules.--Shape: Oblanceolate. Apex: Three acute tips arranged in
a cross shape. Length: Approximately 6.0 mm. Width at base:
Approximately 2.0 mm. Texture of inner surface: Glabrous. Texture
of outer surface: Densely pubescent with a mixture of glandular and
nonglandular hairs. Gland color: Colorless, transparent. Color of
inner and outer surfaces: 137A with 144A at base. Reproductive
organs.--Androecium: Stamen quantity: 4, didynamous. Stamen length
of longer pair: Approximately 2.0 mm. Stamen length of shorter
pair: Approximately 1.0 mm. Anther shape: Bilobed, ovoid. Anther
length: Approximately 1.0 mm. Anther color: 145A. Pollen amount:
Sparse. Pollen color: 155D. Gynoecium: Pistil quantity: 1 per
flower. Pistil length: Approximately 1.8 cm. Stigma shape: Bifid.
Stigma length: Less than 1.0 mm. Stigma color: 137A. Style length:
Approximately 1.7 cm. Style color: 145D with 145B near stigma.
Ovary diameter: Approximately 1.0 mm. Ovary texture: Glabrous.
Ovary color: 144A. Seed and fruit production: Neither seed nor
fruit production has been observed. Disease and pest resistance:
Resistance to pathogens and pests common to Verbena has not been
observed.
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