Patent Grant
PP25963
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 ‘HEGHE02’.
The present invention relates to a new and distinct perennial variety of Hemigraphis alternata, which has been given the variety denomination of ‘HEGHE02’. 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 February 2012, a spontaneous mutation of Hemigraphis alternata ‘Exotica’ (unpatented), possessing yellow and green foliage variegation, was discovered at a commercial greenhouse facility in Apopka, Fla. in a production crop of 2,545 nursery pots of Hemigraphis alternata ‘Exotica’. 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 March 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 ‘HEGHE02’.
Asexual Reproduction: ‘HEGHE02’ 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 9,770 resulting progeny. The distinctive characteristics of the inventive ‘HEGHE02’ variety are stable from generation to generation; clones of the variety produced by asexual reproduction maintain the distinguishing characteristics of the original plant.
‘HEGHE02’ is a distinctive variety of Hemigraphis alternata which is characterized by yellow and green leaf variegation, large leaf size, 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 ‘HEGHE02’. 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 ‘HEGHE02’ 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. ‘HEGHE02’ 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.
‘HEGHE02’ is a perennial Hemigraphis alternata plant which is a spontaneous mutation of Hemigraphis alternata ‘Exotica’, selected for its yellow and green leaf variegation, large leaf size, and a dense growth habit. These features and other characteristics are apparent from the description provided below.
By comparison with the parent, the leaves of ‘HEGHE02’ are characterized by a green and yellow variegated adaxial 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 in ‘HEGHE02’ is also variegated as described herein, whereas the abaxial leaf surface of the parent is a 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 ‘HEGHE02’ is a combination of red-purple 63C and yellow-green 146D, with the predominant color being yellow-green 146D 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. As described herein, ‘HEGHE02’ exhibits an almost stolon-like habit with a multitude of stems running horizontally at the soil surface whereas the stems of the parent plant are ascending as they emerge from the soil. While both the parent and ‘HEGHE02’ are approximately the same height, the stem internode length in ‘HEGHE02’ is shorter than that of the parent. Stem internode length between the first and second aerial internodes of ‘HEGHE02’ ranges from 10-20 mm whereas in the parent the length of the same ranges from 30 to 50 mm. Also, the mature leaves of ‘HEGHE02’ are larger than those of the parent. The dimensions of mature leaves of ‘HEGHE02’ are, on average, 90 mm long by 55 mm wide, whereas the largest measured leaves of the parent are 80 mm long and 45 mm wide. The combination of a stolon-like branching habit, shortened stem internodes and larger leaves gives ‘HEGHE02’ a more dense appearance when compared to the parent.
‘HEGHE02’ is similar to the commercial variety Hemigraphis alternata ‘HEGHE01’ (U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 13/987,386) in many horticultural characteristics. ‘HEGHE02’, however, has a more decumbent growth habit, larger leaves, a lightly bullate leaf texture, slightly involuted leaf margins, and leaves with green and yellow variegation. ‘HEGHE02’ exhibits dimension of approximately 16 cm tall and 35 cm wide and stems with a decumbent, stolon-like growth habit, whereas ‘HEGHE01’ exhibits dimensions of approximately 22 cm tall and 28 cm wide and stems with an upright attitude. Mature leaves of ‘HEGHE02’ exhibit dimensions of approximately 90 mm long and 55 mm wide, whereas mature leaves of ‘HEGHE01’ exhibit dimensions of approximately 80 mm long and 45 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’ which exhibits only a slightly involute leaf cross-section. The adaxial leaf surface of ‘HEGHE02’ is characterized by green and yellow variegation and a pale pink coloration of the abaxial surface, whereas the leaves of ‘HEGHE01’ are characterized by pink and green to white and green variegation of the adaxial leaf surface, and a generally bright pink appearance to the abaxial leaf surface.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20150026852 P1 | Jan 2015 | US |
