Osteospermum plant named `KLEOE19400`

Abstract

A new Osteospermum plant particularly distinguished by having orange flowers, a very early flowering time and a semi-upright plant habit.

Description

Genus and species: Osteospermum ecklonis Norl.

Variety denomination: `KLEOE19400`.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct variety of Osteospermum, botanically known as Osteospermum ecklonis Norl, and hereinafter referred to by the variety name `KLEOE19400`. `KLEOE19400` originated from a cross-pollination between the proprietary female Osteospermum variety `OE-2013-0095` (unpatented), and the male Osteospermum variety `KLEOE14243` (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 27,344).

In the summer of 2015, the two Osteospermum parental lines `OE-2013-0095` and `KLEOE14243` were crossed in Nairobi, Kenya, and seeds were obtained. The seeds were sown and plants were grown for evaluation. The seedling was selected in spring 2016 and named `KLEOE19400`. In fall of 2016, `KLEOE19400` was first vegetatively propagated by vegetative cuttings in Stuttgart, Germany. `KLEOE19400` was found to reproduce true to type in successive generations of asexual propagation via vegetative cuttings.

SUMMARY

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new variety when grown under normal horticultural practices in Stuttgart, Germany. 1. Orange flower color; 2. A very early flowering time; and 3. Semi-upright habit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

This new Osteospermum plant is illustrated by the accompanying photograph, which shows the plant with flowers grown in a pot. The photograph is of an eleven-week-old plant grown in a controlled greenhouse environment in Stuttgart, Germany in May 2018. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of `KLEOE19400`. The data which define these characteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out in Latina, Italy. Data was collected on nineteen-week-old plants grown in a controlled greenhouse environment in Latina, Italy under greenhouse conditions in February 2020. Color references are to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.), 5.sup.th edition (2007). Classification: Family.--Compositae. Botanical.--Osteospermum ecklonis Norl. Common.--Osteospermum, African Daisy. Designation.--`KLEOE19400`. Parentage: Female parent.--Osteospermum line `OE-2013-0095` (unpatented). Male parent.--Osteospermum line `KLEOE14243` (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 27,344). Plant: Form and habit.--Herbaceous perennial, but usually cultivated as an annual; not frost resistant. Growth habit.--Upright. Branching habit.--Freely branching. Height (from top of soil, including inflorescence).--30.0 cm. Width (including inflorescences).--38.0 cm. Propagation.--Vegetative cuttings. Time to produce a finished flowering plant.--9 weeks. Time to initiate and develop roots.--5 weeks. Root description.--Fine; white (RHS 155A). Leaves: Arrangement.--Alternate. Shape.--Obovate. Apex.--Acute. Base.--Acute. Margin.--Entire. Immature color.--Upper surface: RHS 137B. Lower surface: RHS 137C. Mature color.--Upper surface: RHS 146A. Lower surface: RHS 146C. Length.--7.7 cm. Width.--2.2 cm. Texture.--Upper surface: Leathery. Lower surface: Leathery smooth, covered with fine hairs. Petioles.--Absent. Venation pattern.--Pinnate. Venation color.--Upper surface: RHS 144A. Lower surface: RHS N144C. Stems: Total number of branches per plant (calculated at the base of the plant).--5. Length.--38.0 cm. Diameter.--0.5 cm. Internode length.--1.5 cm. Color.--RHS 144A. Texture.--Smooth. Anthocyanin.--Absent. Buds: Shape.--Round to ovoid. Length.--0.9 cm. Diameter.--1.0 cm. Color (at tight bud just before the ray florets unfold).--RHS 144A. Inflorescence: Type.--Composite, single. Blooming habit.--Semi-upright, with long flower stems. Quantity of inflorescences per plant.--7. Lastingness of the inflorescences on the plant.--10 to 15 days. Fragrance.--Present; sweet. Inflorescence diameter.--6.8 cm. Inflorescence depth.--1.0 cm. Disc diameter.--1.7 cm. Disc floret: Quantity per inflorescence.--About 120. Shape.--Tubular. Tube color.--RHS 157A. Length.--1.2 cm. Diameter (at apex).--0.2 cm. Apex.--Acute. Apex color.--RHS N77A. Base.--Acute. Base color.--RHS N167D. Margin.--Entire. Ray floret: Quantity per inflorescence.--21. Shape.--Oblanceolate. Color.--Upper surface: RHS 17A. Lower surface: RHS 163A. Length.--3.0 cm. Width.--1.0 cm. Apex.--Acute. Base.--Acute. Margin.--Entire. Texture.--Upper and lower surfaces: Smooth. Peduncle.--Length: 12.0 cm. Diameter: 0.2 cm. Texture: Smooth with hairs. Color: RHS 144A. Phyllaries: Texture.--Smooth with fine hairs. Color.--RHS 144A. Arrangement.--Single. Observed quantity per plant.--20. Shape.--Lanceolate. Color.--Upper surface: RHS 144A. Lower surface: RHS 145A. Length.--1.2 cm. Width.--0.2 cm. Apex.--Acute. Base.--Obtuse. Margin.--Entire. Texture.--Upper surface: Smooth with fine hairs. Lower surface: Smooth. Reproductive organs: Androecium.--Location: On the disc floret. Stamens: Quantity: Around 50. Shape: Filamentous. Filament length: 0.6 cm. Filament diameter: Less than 0.1 cm. Anther: Shape: Lanceolate. Color: RHS 83A. Length: Less than 0.1 cm. Diameter: Less than 0.1 cm. Pollen: Color: RHS N172A. Amount: Moderate. Gynoecium.--Location: On the base of the petals (ray floret) and reduced on disc florets. Pistils: Number: Around 50. Length: 0.3 cm. Diameter: Less than 0.1 cm. Stigma: Color: RHS 72A. Shape: Filamentous. Length: 0.2 cm. Diameter: Less than 0.1 cm. Style: Color: RHS N72A. Length: 0.1 cm. Diameter: Less than 0.1 cm. Fruit and seed set: None observed. Disease and pest/insect resistance: No particular disease or insect resistance observed.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL LINES AND KNOWN VARIETY

`KLEOE19400` is distinguished from its parents as described in Table 1:

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Comparison with Parental Lines Variety Female parent Male Parent Trait `KLEOE19400` `OE-2013-0095` `KLEOE14243` Flower color Orange Red-Orange Yellow

`KLEOE19400` is most similar to the Osteospermum plant named `KLEOE12197` (Not patented). Differences between the two varieties are described in Table 2:

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Comparison with Similar Variety Variety Commercial line Trait `KLEOE19400` `KLEOE12197` Flower Color Orange Pink Flowering time Very early Early Habit Semi-upright Upright

Claims

I claim:

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Osteospermum Plant Named `KLEOE19400` as described and illustrated herein.

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