Patent Application
20060070153
Viola cornuta/Viola Plant
cv. Sunviolamari
The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of Viola cornuta named ‘Sunviolamari’ that originated from the crossing a Viola hybrid variety named ‘0V-37-1’ as the female parent and a variety named ‘0V-72A’ as the male parent.
In April 2000, crossing of ‘0V-37-1’ as the female parent and ‘0V-72A’ as the pollen parent was conducted at Yokaichi-shi, Shiga, Japan. In May 2000, some seeds were obtained from that crossing. In August 2000, the seeds were sown and 20 seedlings were obtained. Three of the seedlings were selected in view of their spreading growth habit, and medium-sized flowers having a violet-blue petal color. Those seedlings were propagated by the use of cuttings and were grown in pots, and then a plant trial was carried out beginning in October 2001, at Yokaichi-shi, Shiga, Japan. The botanical characteristics of the plants were then examined, using the similar varieties, ‘Violetto Nive’ and ‘Alpine Summer’, for comparison. As a result, one seedling was selected and it was concluded that this Viola plant is distinguishable from any other variety, whose existence is known to us, and is uniform and stable in its characteristics. The new variety of Viola plant was named ‘Sunviolamari’.
The female parent ‘0V-37-1’ (not patented in the U.S.) is a strain from our breeding lines grown at Yokaichi-shi, Shiga, Japan, having a spreading growth habit with prostrate stems. The flower size is almost the same as the ‘Sunviolamari’ variety, and the petals display a white color.
The pollen parent ‘0V-72A’ (not patented in the U.S.) is a strain of our breeding lines grown at Yokaichi-shi, Shiga, Japan, having a spreading growth habit with prostrate stems. It has smaller-sized flowers than the new ‘Sunviolamari’ variety, and the petals have a light blue color.
In the following description, the color information is in accordance with The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England.
This new variety is unlike any Viola cornuta commercially available as evidenced by the following unique combinations of characteristics.
1. Spreading growth habit having long prostrate stems and many branches.
2. A great profusion of blooms with the entire plant remaining in bloom for a considerable period of time.
3. Single, medium-sized violet-blue flowers having some gradation of color intensity that are borne on the long peduncles.
The new variety ‘Sunviolamari’ differs from the similar variety ‘Violetto Nive’ (not patented in the U.S.) in the following respects.
1. The leaf of ‘Sunviolamari’ is larger than that of ‘Violet Nive’.
2. The peduncle length of ‘Sunviolamari’ is longer than that of ‘Violetto Nive’.
3. The flower of ‘Sunviolamari’ is larger than that of ‘Violetto Nive’.
4. The flowers of ‘Sunviolamari’ and ‘Violetto Nive’ differ in petal color. ‘Sunviolamari’ has violet-blue flowers having gradation of color intensity. Those of ‘Violetto Nive’ are white.
5. The flowering time of ‘Sunviolamari’ is earlier than that of ‘Violetto Nive’.
The new variety ‘Sunviolamari’ differs from the similar variety ‘Alpine Summer’ (not patented in the U.S.) in the following respects.
1. The leaves of ‘Sunviolamari’ are larger than those of ‘Alpine Summer’.
2. The peduncle length of ‘Sunviolamari’ is longer than that of ‘Alpine Summer’.
3. The flowers of ‘Sunviolamari’ are larger than those of ‘Alpine Summer’.
4. The flowers of ‘Sunviolamari’ and ‘Alpine Summer’ differ in petal color. ‘Sunviolamari’ displays violet-blue flowers having some gradation of color intensity. Those of ‘Alpine Summer’ are bi-colored, the upper petal is violet, and the lateral and lower petals are yellow with dark purple veins.
5. The flowering time of ‘Sunviolamari’ is earlier than that of ‘Alpine Summer’.
The new variety of Viola plant ‘Sunviolamari’ was asexually reproduced by the use of cuttings at Yokaichi-shi, Shiga, Japan, and the homogeneity and stability thereof were confirmed.
The instant plant retains its distinctive characteristics and reproduces true to type in successive generations.
The accompanying photographs show, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color illustrations of this character, typical specimens of the new cultivar. The plants had been reproduced by the use of cuttings and were photographed during May 2002 while growing outdoors in 24 cm pots at an age of approximately 7 months at Yokaichi-shi, Shiga, Japan.
The botanical characteristics of the new and distinct variety of Viola cornuta named ‘Sunviolamari’ are set forth hereafter. The plants were observed during May 2002 at Yokaichi-shi, Shiga, Japan, at an age of approximately 7 months.
This new variety of Viola comuta plant ‘Sunviolamari’ is most suitable for potting, and growing in hanging baskets and flower beds.
