USOOPP10758P Ulllted States Patent [19] [11] Patent Number: 10,758 Westholf [45] Date of Patent: Jan. 19, 1999

56 R f C't d [54] PLANT NAMED ‘AZURO’ [ 1 e erences ‘ E US. PATENT DOCUMENTS [76] IHVGHIOII Heinrich Westho?, Fresenhorst 22-24> PP. 221 1/1937 Johnson ...... Plt./68.1 46354 sudlohn'oedmg’ Germany Primary Examiner—HoWard J. Locker Attorney, Agent, or Firm—C. A. Whealy [21] Appl. No.: 888,344 [57] ABSTRACT [22] Filed: Jul, 3, 1997 A distinctive of Lobelia, Lobelia erinus L., plant 6 named AZuro, Characterized by its compact and rounded [51] Int. Cl...... A01H 5/00 plant habit; numerous dark blue ?owers; early ?owering; [52] US. Cl...... Plt./68.1 and long ?owering period [58] Field of Search ...... Flt/68.1 1 Drawing Sheet

1 2 The present invention relates to a neW and distinct cultivar under commercial greenhouse practice. In the folloWing of Lobelia plant, botanically knoWn as Lobelia erinus L., and description, color references are made to The Royal Horti hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name AZuro. The neW cultivar Was discovered by the inventor in S cultural Society Colour Chart except Where general terms of iidlohn-Oeding, Germany, as a naturally-ocurring mutation 5 ordinary dictionary signi?cance are used. of an unnamed cultivar of the Lobelia erinus L. and Was observed in a group of of the parent cultivar in the spring of 1991. AseXual reproduction of the neW cultivar by cuttings in Siidlohn-Oeding, Germany, has shoWn that the Botanical classi?cation: Lobelia erinus L. cultivar AZuro. unique features of this neW Lobelia are stable and are Parentage: Naturally-occurring mutation of an unnamed reproduced true to type in successive propagations. The neW 10 cultivar of species Lobelia erinus L. cultivar has not been observed under all possible environ Propagation: mental conditions. The phenotype may vary signi?cantly With variations in environment such as temperature and light Type.—By cuttings. and fertility levels, Without, hoWever, any variance in geno Time to initiate roots.—About 12 days. t e. ypThe folloWing traits have been repeatedly observed and Rooting habit.—Root system is ?brous. are determined to be the unique characteristics of AZuro: Plant description: 1. Compact and rounded plant habit. Plant form.—Upright and rounded perennial ?oWering 2. Numerous dark blue ?oWers. plant. Freely branching With lateral branches form 3. Early ?owering. ing at every node. Plants uniform in shape. 4. Long ?owering period. The folloWing characteristics abundant. differentiate the neW Lobelia from the parent and from the Growth habit.—Lateral shoots outWardly spreading, species Lobelia erinus L..' 1. Plants of the neW Lobelia are more compact and more plants eventually becoming spherical in overall rounded than plants of the parent cultivar and of the species shape. Moderate to vigorous. Lobelia erinus L. Stem description.—Lateral branch diameter: About 2 2. Plants of the neW Lobelia have a more intense blue mm. Internode length: 3 to 5 cm. Stem color: 143A ?oWer color than plants of the parent cultivar and of the becoming broWnish With development. Stem texture: species Lobelia erinus L. Smooth. 3. Plants of the neW Lobelia ?oWer earlier and more profusely than plants of the parent cultivar and of the species Foliage description.— arrangement: Simple, alter Lobelia erinus L. nate. Leaf length: About 5 cm. Leaf Width: About 4. Plants of the neW Lobelia ?oWer for a longer period of 1.75 cm. Leaf shape: Linear to spatulate. Leaf apeX: time than plants of the parent cultivar and of the species Acute. Leaf base: Attenuate, sessile. Leaf margin: Lobelia erinus L. Serrate, teeth on linear are further apart than 35 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF PHOTOGRAPH spatulate leaves. Leaf aspect: Mostly ?at. Leaf teX ture: Smooth. Leaf color: Young foliage, upper and The accompanying colored photograph illustrates the loWer surfaces: 146A. Mature foliage, upper surface: overall appearance and ?oWer color of the neW Lobelia, shoWing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to 137A. Mature foliage, loWer surface: 147B. obtain in colored reproductions of this type. The photograph description: comprises a side perspective vieW of a typical hanging Flowering habit.—Star-shaped ?oWers arranged singly basket and a close-up vieW of typical ?oWers and leaves of at lateral apices. FloWers held outWardly. FloWers AZuro. Actual ?oWer and foliage colors may differ from persistent. ?oWer and foliage colors in the photograph due to light Flower shape.—Tubular With three larger loWer petals re?ectance. 45 and tWo upright petals. DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION Natural ?owering season.—Spring through summer. The folloWing observations, measurements, values, and Quantity of?owers. —Numerous, plants ?oWer continu comparisons describe plants groWn in Snohomish, Wash., ously. Plant 10,758 3 4 Fl0wers.—Diameter: About 2 cm. Height: About 1.5 .—Arrangement: Fused into a calyX, star-shaped. cm. Shape: NarroWly lanceolate. Quantity per ?oWer: Peduncle.—Strength: Flexible and Wiry, but hold ?oW Five. CalyX length: About 9 mm. CalyX diameter: ers outwardly. Color: 144A. About 2 mm. ApeX: Acuminate. Margin: Entire. Flower bud.—Shape: Oblong. Diameter: About 2 mm. Texture: Smooth. Color: 146A. Length: About 1 cm. Color: Whitish green. Reproductive 0rgans.—: Quantity: Five, fused. Petals. —Arrangement: In a circle, fused. Shape: LoWer Filament color: White. Anther color: Whitish purple. petals are elliptic and upper petals are narroWly Pollen amount: Moderate. Pistils: Length: About 9 oblong. Quantity per ?oWer: Five. Length, above mm. Stigma shape: Round. Stigma color: Purple. throat: Lower: About 7.5 mm. Upper: About 5 mm. Style color: Green. Ovary color: Green. Width: LoWer: About 5 mm. Upper: About 1.5 mm. Disease resistance: Resistance to knoWn pathogens of Lobe ApeX: Cuspidate. Margin: Entire. Texture: Smooth lia has not been observed. and satiny. Color: When opening: Upper surface: Seed production: Seed production has not been observed. 96C. LoWer surfaces: 97B/97C. Fully open: Upper I claim: surface: 96B/ 96C With dark bluish purple spot, close 1. A neW and distinct Lobelia, Lobelia erinus L., plant to 89A, at base. LoWer surface: 97A. Throat: White named AZuro, as illustrated and described. background With purple spots and tWo, White to bright yelloW stripes. * * * * * U S Patent Jan. 19, 1999 Plant 10,758