U.S. patent number PP34,050 [Application Number 17/356,860] was granted by the patent office on 2022-03-22 for hibiscus plant named `alticemelon`.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Altman Specialty Plants Inc.. The grantee listed for this patent is Altman Specialty Plants, Inc. Invention is credited to Peter Lim.
United States Patent |
PP34,050 |
Lim |
March 22, 2022 |
Hibiscus plant named `ALTICEMELON`
Abstract
A new and distinct cultivar of Hibiscus plant named
`ALTICEMELON` is disclosed, characterized by large white and pink
blooms with having a dark central blotch. Plants are compact with
glossy foliage and prolific blooming. The new variety is a
Hibiscus, typically produced as an ornamental plant.
Inventors: |
Lim; Peter (Escondido, CA) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Altman Specialty Plants, Inc |
Vista |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Altman Specialty Plants Inc.
(Vista, CA)
|
Appl.
No.: |
17/356,860 |
Filed: |
June 24, 2021 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
PLT/257 |
Current International
Class: |
A01H
5/02 (20180101); A01H 6/60 (20180101) |
Field of
Search: |
;PLT/257 |
Primary Examiner: Hwu; June
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Bright; Cassandra
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A new and distinct cultivar of Hibiscus plant named
`ALTICEMELON` as herein illustrated and described.
Description
Latin name of the genus and species: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis.
Variety denomination: `ALTICEMELON`.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The new Hibiscus cultivar is a product of a planned breeding
program conducted by the inventor, Peter Lim. The objective of the
breeding program was to produce vigorous Hibiscus rosa-sinensis
cultivars with healthy foliage. The cross resulting in this new
variety was made Jun. 25, 2014.
The seed parent is the unpatented Hibiscus rosa-sinensis `Rising
Star`. The pollen parent is the unpatented variety Hibiscus
rosa-sinensis `Volcano`. The new variety was identified and
selected as a potentially interesting selection in September of
2016. Selection was made at a commercial nursery in Vista,
Calif.
Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar `ALTICEMELON` was first
performed on Sep. 25, 2016 in Vista, Calif., by vegetative
cuttings. Subsequent propagation has shown that the unique features
of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type in
successive generations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The cultivar `ALTICEMELON` has not been observed under all possible
environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with
variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and
light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.
The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are
determined to be the unique characteristics of `ALTICEMELON`. These
characteristics in combination distinguish `ALTICEMELON` as a new
and distinct Hibiscus cultivar: 1. White and pink bi-colored
flowers with noticeable white veins and a dark central blotch. 2.
Large flower size. 3. Prolific blooming. 4. Compact growth habit.
5. Glossy foliage.
PARENT COMPARISONS
Plants of the new cultivar `ALTICEMELON` are similar to the seed
parent `Rising Star`, in most horticultural characteristics.
However, characteristics of the new cultivar differ in the
following: 1. The new variety has a white and pink flower, the seed
parent has a yellow flower.
Plants of the new cultivar `ALTICEMELON` are similar to the pollen
parent `Volcano`, in most horticultural characteristics. However,
characteristics of the new cultivar differ in the following: 1.
Flowers of the new variety have more petals than flowers of the
pollen parent.
COMMERCIAL COMPARISON
Plants of `ALTICEMELON` are similar in some horticultural
characteristics to the variety Hibiscus `Loving Lady`, unpatented.
The new variety, however, differs in the following: 1. Flowers of
`ALTICEMELON` are smaller than flowers of `Loving Lady`. 2. Plants
of `Loving Lady` have a taller growth habit than `ALTICEMELON`. 3.
Flowers of `ALTICEMELON` are white and pink, while flowers of
`Loving Lady` are red with a white edge.
Plants of `ALTICEMELON` are similar in some horticultural
characteristics to the variety Hibiscus `Strawberry Cream`,
unpatented. The new variety, however, differs in the following: 1.
Flowers of `ALTICEMELON` are smaller than flowers of `Strawberry
Cream`. 2. Plants of `Strawberry Cream` have a taller growth habit
than `ALTICEMELON`. 3. Flowers of `ALTICEMELON` are white and pink,
with white veins, while flowers of `Strawberry Cream` are white
with a pink eye.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH
The accompanying photograph illustrates in full color typical
flowers of `ALTICEMELON` from a plant grown outdoors at a
commercial nursery in Vista, Calif. The photograph was taken using
conventional techniques and although colors may appear different
from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as
possible by conventional photographic techniques.
DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION
In the following description, color references are made to The
Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 2007, except where general
terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following
observations and measurements describe a `ALTICEMELON` plant. The
growing temperature ranged from about 7.degree. C. to 30.degree. C.
during the day and from about 5.degree. C. to 12.degree. C. during
the night. No artificial light, photoperiodic treatments were given
to the plants. Measurements and numerical values represent averages
of typical plant types. Botanical classification: Hibiscus
rosa-sinensis `ALTICEMELON`.
PROPAGATION
Typical method: Hardwood stem cuttings. Root description: Roots are
fine, fibrous and well branched. Tan/brown in color, not
effectively measured with a color chart.
PLANT
Plant type: Tender, woody flowering shrub. Age of plant described:
Approximately 2 years old. Growth habit: Compact. Height: 81 cm.
Plant spread: 55 cm. Branching characteristics: 2 to 3 breaks from
a pinch, occurring at acute angles. Length of primary lateral
branches: 20 to 35 cm. Quantity of lateral branches: About 8 to 11.
Characteristics of primary lateral branches: Diameter.--9 mm.
Color.--New growth near RHS Greyed-Purple 187A, mature growth near
RHS Greyed-Green 197A, streaked Greyed-Purple 183A. Texture.--New
growth very slightly hirsute, mature branches striated. Internode
length: Average 3 cm.
FOLIAGE
Leaf: Arrangement.--Alternate. Quantity.--Approximately 20 per
branch. Average length.--11 to 12 cm. Average width.--10 cm. Shape
of blade.--Broad ovate to nearly cordate. Apex.--Acute.
Base.--Obtuse. Margin.--Crenate. Texture of top surface.--Glabrous.
Texture of bottom surface.--Glabrous. Color.--Young foliage upper
side: RHS Green 137A. Young foliage under side: RHS Green 137B.
Mature foliage upper side: RHS Green 139A. Mature foliage under
side: RHS Green 137B. Venation.--Type: Pinnate. Venation color,
upper side: RHS Green 143C. Venation color, under side: RHS
Yellow-Green 144B. Petiole.--Length: 5 to 7 cm. Diameter: 3 mm.
Color: Upper side: Near RHS Greyed-Purple 187A, flushed
Greyed-Purple N187A. Under side: Near RHS Green 137A, heavily
flushed Greyed-Purple 187A. Texture: All surfaces roughly
pubescent. Stipule.--Shape: Narrow deltoid. Length: 5 to 7 mm.
Width: 3 mm. Color: Upper side: Near RHS Green 137D. Upper side:
Near RHS Green 143C. Texture: Slight rough pubescence.
FLOWER
Natural flowering season: Late Spring through Summer. Flower type
and habit: Solitary, rotate. Single, double, multiplex.--Single.
Petals overlapping.--Strongly overlapping. Rate of flower opening:
1 to 2 days from bud to fully opened flower. Flower longevity on
plant: 1 to 2 days. Persistent or self-cleaning: Self-cleaning.
Bud: Shape.--Ovate. Length.--5 cm. Diameter.--2.2 cm. Color.--RHS
Yellow-Green 145C, lightly flushed Red 51C. Flower size:
Diameter.--14 cm. Depth.--9 cm. Petals: Quantity.--5.
Arrangement.--Whorled, overlapping. Length.--8 cm. Width.--8 cm.
Shape.--Obovate. Apex.--Obtuse rounded with shallow ruffles.
Base.--Broad attenuate. Margin.--Entire, moderate ruffling.
Texture, upper and lower surfaces.--Smooth, rugose.
Incision.--Absent. Color.--When opening, upper surface: RHS Red
49D, basal blotch (forming flower eye) Red-Purple 61C flushed N57B,
covering approximately 80% of petal surface. Lowermost basal blotch
near Red-Purple 61A flushed Greyed-Purple 187C. When opening, lower
surface: RHS 49D, margins near Yellow-Orange 18D. Fully opened,
upper surface: RHS White N155C, basal blotch (forming flower eye)
Red-Purple 61C flushed N57B, covering approximately 50% of petal
surface. Lowermost basal blotch near Red-Purple 61A flushed
Greyed-Purple 187C. Veins through central blotch near White N155D.
Fully opened, lower surface: RHS Yellow-Orange 18D, large central
flush near Red 55D. Ratio of basal blotch/eye to petal size: About
30% of petal blade with darkest blotch. Feathering color: RHS
Red-Purple 61C. Feathering size: Moderate about 10 to 20 mm.
Sepals: Quantity.--5. Length.--2.0 cm. Width.--2 cm.
Shape.--Narrow, deltate. Margin.--Entire. Apex.--Acute.
Base.--Fused. Color.--Upper surface: RHS Yellow-Green 144B. Lower
surface: RHS Green 143B. Texture.--Glabrous, all surfaces.
Epicalyx: Quantity of bracts.--8 to 10. Bract length.--1.2 cm to 2
cm. Bract width.--3 mm. Bract shape.--Lanceolate. Bract
margin.--Entire. Color.--Upper surface: RHS Green 137A. Lower
surface: Near RHS Green 138A. Texture.--Glabrous all surfaces.
Peduncles: Length.--4.5 cm. Diameter.--3 mm. Angle.--Approximately
45.degree. to the lateral branch. Strength.--Very strong.
Texture.--Pubescent. Color.--RHS Yellow-Green 144B. Fragrance:
None.
REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS
Stamens: Number.--About 60. Anthers: Shape.--Irregular sphere.
Length.--About 2 mm. Color.--Near RHS Yellow-Orange 15A. Pollen
color.--Near RHS Yellow-Orange 15A. Pollen amount.--Scant. Pistil:
Number.--1. Length.--10 cm. Style.--Length: 9 cm. Color: Lower
section near Red 53A, mid-section near Red-Purple N57B, upper
section near Red 49C. Iridescent throughout. Stigma.--Shape:
Peltate. Color: Near RHS Yellow-Orange 15B. Ovary color.--Near RHS
Yellow-Green 154D.
OTHER CHARACTERISTICS
Seeds: Capsule, typically about 1 cm in diameter and length.
Pubescent, colored near RHS Grey-Brown 199B. Moderately abundant
lightly pubescent seed. Disease/pest resistance: Neither resistance
nor susceptibility to normal diseases and pests of Hibiscus
rosa-sinensis have been observed. Temperature tolerance: USDA Zones
8 through 11.
* * * * *