Plants – Herbaceous ornamnental flowering plant – Geranium
Plant Patent
2001-04-14
2003-04-08
Campell, Bruce R. (Department: 1661)
Plants
Herbaceous ornamnental flowering plant
Geranium
Plant Patent
active
PP013716
ABSTRACT:
BOTANICAL CLASSIFICATION
Geranium×cantabrigiense
VARIETY DENOMINATION
‘Westray’
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Geranium known botanically as
Geranium×cantabrigiense
and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘Westray’. The new invention is a hybrid between the female parent
Geranium macrorrhizum
‘Lohfelden’ (unpatented) and the male parent
Geranium dalmaticum
(unpatented). In 1993 the inventor induced hybridization of
Geranium macrorrhizum
‘Lohfelden’ (unpatented) and the species
Geranium dalmaticum
(unpatented). Seeds resulted from this cross, which were then sown in 1994. The inventor selected ‘Westray’ as a single plant from the resulting seedlings in 1995 in Orkney, Scotland.
‘Westray’ was bred from a breeding program which was established in 1985. The aim of this breeding program is to produce a range of flower colors of the hybrids between
Geranium macrorrhizum
and
Geranium dalmaticum,
in combination with the dense habit, profuse flowering and general performance exhibited by ‘Westray.’
‘Westray’ is assumed to be sterile and as with all crosses made between the parents,
Geranium macrorrhizum
and
Geranium dalmaticum,
it is female sterile and male sterile. What makes ‘Westray’ sterile is an incompatibility between its two parent species, which are close enough to provide a first-generation cross but not close enough for that cross to be fertile. It does not produce seed, making it female sterile, and although it produces pollen, the pollen is non-viable, making it male sterile.
The new Geranium plant can be characterized by its dense habit and large, profuse flowers, with a strong, clear pink color, that bloom from March to late June and may continue blooming sporadically into August. The closest comparison varieties are
Geranium dalmaticum
and
Geranium cantabrigiense
‘Cambridge’ (unpatented). ‘Westray’ differs from these in its large flower with a strong, clear pink color and the ability to propagate more readily. ‘Westray’ is shorter than ‘Cambridge’ and taller than
Geranium dalmaticum.
In 1997 the inventor conducted the first asexual propagation in Orkney, Scotland using the method of division. Since that time subsequent asexual propagation has been conducted using vegetative root cuttings, tip cuttings and stem cuttings. Under careful observation successive generations have been determined stable and uniform.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The following traits have been repeatedly observed and represent the distinguishing characteristics of the new Geranium plant. These traits in combination distinguish ‘Westray’ from all other varieties of Geranium. The new invention has not been tested under all possible conditions and phenotypic differences may be observed with variations in environmental, climatic, and cultural conditions, however, without any variance in genotype.
1. ‘Westray’ exhibits a dense habit.
2. ‘Westray’ exhibits large flowers that are a unique strong, clear pink color.
3. ‘Westray’ blooms profusely.
4. ‘Westray’ blooms from March to late June and may continue sporadically into August.
5. ‘Westray’ propagates easily by stem cuttings, root cuttings, tip cuttings and division.
6. ‘Westray’ exhibits foliage that turns color in autumn.
REFERENCES:
patent: PP10474 (1998-06-01), Bloom
patent: PP11252 (2000-02-01), Tyssowski
patent: PP12148 (2001-10-01), Van Noort
patent: PP12172 (2001-10-01), Dean et al.
patent: PP12175 (2001-10-01), Waterer et al.
UPOV ROM GTITM JOUVE 2002/02 computer database, citation(s) for 'Westray'.
Bourgeois Mark P.
Campell Bruce R.
Haas W C
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