Patent Grant
PP25976
Latin name of the genus and species: The Latin name of the genus and species of the novel variety disclosed herein is Hemigraphis alternata.
Variety denomination: The inventive variety of Hemigraphis alternata disclosed herein has been given the variety denomination ‘HEGHE01’.
The present invention relates to a new and distinct perennial variety of Hemigraphis alternata, which has been given the variety denomination of ‘HEGHE01’. Its market class is that of an herbaceous perennial groundcover. The primary intended use of Hemigraphis alternata is as a decorative foliage plant in ornamental containers, but it may also be used as a spreading groundcover in warm, tropical climates. The species is known for its attractive foliage color which can be described as an iridescent, metallic purple upper leaf surface and a solid purple lower leaf surface.
Parentage: In June 2012, a spontaneous mutation of Hemigraphis alternata ‘Exotica’ (unpatented), possessing white and green foliage variegation, was discovered at a commercial greenhouse facility in Apopka, Fla. in a stock crop of 9,778 nursery pots of Hemigraphis alternata ‘Exotica’ that were originally planted from unrooted cuttings in November 2006. All other progeny in the crop maintained the foliage color that is typical of the parent. Each pot within the crop contained multiple vegetative cutting progeny and, upon closer examination, it was determined that the variegated mutation, or “sport”, resulted from a mutation on a lateral branch of one such vegetative cutting. Said sport was removed from the mother plant as a vegetative cutting in June 2012 and rooted in a separate area so its growth could be monitored. Subsequent vegetative cuttings were taken and rooted. It was found that the sport remained true to type. The new plant was finally selected in December 2012 and given the name ‘HEGHE01’.
Asexual Reproduction: ‘HEGHE01’ was first propagated asexually by stem cuttings at a commercial greenhouse in Apopka, Fla. and has since been asexually propagated through numerous successive generations with a total of 113,433 resulting progeny. The distinctive characteristics of the inventive ‘HEGHE01’ variety are stable from generation to generation; clones of the variety produced by asexual reproduction maintain the distinguishing characteristics of the original plant.
‘HEGHE01’ is a distinctive variety of Hemigraphis alternata ‘Exotica’ which is characterized by pink and green to white and green variegation of the upper leaf surface, pink coloration of the lower leaf surface, highly bullate leaf texture, highly involuted leaf margins, particularly in immature foliage, with an upward to near-vertical leaf orientation, and a dense growth habit.
The following is a detailed botanical description of a new and distinct variety of a Hemigraphis alternata ornamental plant known as ‘HEGHE01’. Plant observations were made on plants grown at a commercial greenhouse in Apopka, Fla. Unless indicated otherwise, the descriptions disclosed herein are based upon observations made from 28 week-old, greenhouse-grown ‘HEGHE01’ plants grown from rooted cuttings in 15 cm nursery pots filled with soilless potting media, maintained with periodic applications of liquid slow-release fertilizer with a 20-20-20 (Nitrogen-Phosphorous-Potassium) formulation at a rate of 225 parts-per-million of Nitrogen. Plants were regularly watered with drip irrigation (pH 6.0) and systemic fungicides and insecticides were applied as pest treatment thresholds dictated. Approximate average temperature range in the greenhouse was between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit and light levels ranged from 1500 to 1800 Foot-candles. No plant growth regulators were used.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristics will vary with older or, conversely, younger plants. ‘HEGHE01’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Where dimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is to be understood that such characteristics are approximations or averages set forth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety may vary with variations in the environment such as season, temperature, light intensity, day length, cultural conditions and the like. Color notations are based on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, The Royal Horticultural Society, London, 1986 edition. Note that generic color descriptions such as ‘purple’ do not exist in the R.H.S. charts and the corresponding R.H.S. colors are quoted.
‘HEGHE01’ is a perennial Hemigraphis alternata plant which is a spontaneous mutation of Hemigraphis alternata ‘Exotica’, selected for its unique foliage characteristics and a dense growth habit. These features and other characteristics are apparent from the description provided below.
Growth Habit, Dimensions and Color
By comparison with the parent, the leaves of ‘HEGHE01’ are characterized by a pink and green to white and green variegation of the upper leaf surface as described above, whereas the adaxial leaf surface of the parent is a solid color, corresponding to yellow-green 147A in juvenile and intermediate foliage and becoming greyed-purple (approximately 187A) at maturity. Likewise, the abaxial leaf surface of ‘HEGHE01’ exhibits a pink to white variegation as described herein, whereas the abaxial leaf surface of the parent is a darker, solid color corresponding to a combination of greyed-purple 186A and purple 79B in juvenile and intermediate foliage and becoming greyed-purple 187A and 79A in mature foliage. The stem color of ‘HEGHE01’ is a combination of red-purple 63C and yellow-green 146D, with the predominant color being red-purple 63C, whereas the stem color of the parent is a combination of yellow-green 146D and greyed-purple 187A, with the predominant color being greyed-purple 187D. Both ‘HEGHE01’ and the parent have a bullate leaf texture however the expression of this characteristic is more pronounced in ‘HEGHE01’. Also, leaf margins of ‘HEGHE01’ are more highly involuted, particularly in immature foliage, when compared with the parent. Furthermore, the leaf orientation of ‘HEGHE01’ is upward to near-vertical, whereas leaf orientation in the parent is upward and outward, translating to a slightly taller plant height for ‘HEGHE01’. While ‘HEGHE01’ is slightly taller than the parent, the stem internode length in ‘HEGHE01’ is shorter than that of the parent, which translates to more nodes per plant and, subsequently, a higher leaf count. This higher leaf count translates to a denser growth habit. Stem internode length between the first and second aerial internodes of ‘HEGHE01’ ranges from 20-35 mm whereas in the parent the length of the same ranges from 30 to 50 mm.
‘HEGHE01’ is similar to the commercial variety Hemigraphis alternata ‘HEGHE02’ (U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 13/987,387) in many horticultural characteristics. ‘HEGHE01’, however, has a more upright growth habit, smaller leaves, a highly bullate leaf texture, highly involuted leaf margins, and leaves with pink and green to white and green variegation. ‘HEGHE01’ exhibits dimensions of approximately 22 cm tall and 28 cm wide and stems with an upright attitude, whereas ‘HEGHE02’ exhibits dimension of approximately 16 cm tall and 35 cm wide and stems with a decumbent, stolon-like growth habit. Mature leaves of ‘HEGHE01’ exhibit dimensions of approximately 80 mm long and 45 mm wide, whereas mature leaves of ‘HEGHE02’ exhibit dimensions of approximately 90 mm long and 55 mm wide. The leaf texture of ‘HEGHE01’ is highly bullate, whereas the expression of this characteristic is less pronounced in ‘HEGHE02’. Juvenile and intermediate leaves of ‘HEGHE01’ exhibit a highly involute cross-section by comparison with ‘HEGHE02’. The most significant distinguishing characteristic of ‘HEGHE01’ is the leaf coloration. Leaves of ‘HEGHE01’ are characterized by pink and green to white and green variegation of the adaxial leaf surface, as described herein, and a generally bright pink appearance to the abaxial leaf surface. By comparison, the adaxial leaf surface of ‘HEGHE02’ is characterized by green and yellow variegation and far less pink coloration of the abaxial surface.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20150026851 P1 | Jan 2015 | US |
