USOOPP15894P2 (12) United States Plant Patent (10) Patent No.: US PP15,894 P2 Brown (45) Date of Patent: Jul. 26, 2005

(54) ARGYRANTHEMUM PLANT NAMED (51) Int. Cl." ...... A01H 5/00 SUPACREST (52) U.S. Cl...... Plt./263 (58) Field of Search ...... Plt./263 (50) Latin Name: Argyranthemum frutescens Varietal Denomination: Supacrest Primary Examiner Anne Marie Grunberg (75) Inventor: Graham Noel Brown, Pennant Hills ASSistant Examiner Annette H Para (AU) (74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-C. A. Whealy (73) Assignee: Nuflora International Pty. Ltd., (57) ABSTRACT Macguarie Fields (AU) A new and distinct cultivar of Argyranthemum plant named (*) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this Supacrest', characterized by its compact, upright and atent is extended or adiusted under 35 mounded plant habit; freely branching habit, dense and PS C. 154(b) by 7 da bushy plants; freely flowering habit with numerous inflo a -- y yS. rescences per plant; anemone-type inflorescence form with

(21) Appl.ppl. No.: 10/862,8589 purple-colored ray florets and yellow-colored disc florets. (22) Filed: Jun. 7, 2004 1 Drawing Sheet

1 2 Botanical classification/cultivar denomination: Argyran- Supacrest and distinguish the new Argyranthemum as a themum fruiteScens cultivar Supacrest. new and distinct cultivar: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Compact, upright and mounded plant habit. 2. Freely branching habit, dense and bushy plants. The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar 5 3. Freely flowering habit with numerous inflorescences of Argyranthemum plant, botanically known as Argyranthe per plant. mum frutescens and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name “Supacrest. 4. Anemone inflorescence form with purple-colored ray florets and yellow-colored disc florets. The new Argyranthemum is a product of a planned 10 Plants of the new Argyranthemum differ from plants of the breeding program conducted by the Inventor in Cobbitty, female parent, the cultivar Summer Melody, primarily in New South Wales, Australia. The objective of the program inflorescence form and ray floret coloration as plants of the is to create and develop new compact Argyranthemum cultivar Summer Melody have double-type inflorescences cultivars with numerous inflorescences, interesting inflores with pink-colored ray florets. In addition, plants of the new cence form and attractive ray floret coloration. Argyranthemum are taller than plants of the cultivar Summer The new Argyranthemum originated from a croSS- 15 Melody. Plants of the new Argyranthemum differ from pollination by the Inventor in September, 2000, of the plants of the male parent, the cultivar Sam, in inflorescence Argyranthemum frutescens cultivar Summer Melody, dis- form and ray floret coloration as plants of the cultivar Sam closed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 11,763, as the female, or seed, have daisy-type inflorescences and primrose-colored ray parent, with the Argyranthemum fruitesCens cultivar Sam, florets. In addition, plants of the new Argyranthemum are not patented, as the male, or pollen, parent. The new 20 slightly more compact than plants of the cultivar Sam. Argyranthemum was discovered and selected by the Inven- Plants of the new Argyranthemum differ from plants of the tor as a plant Within the progeny of the Stated cross- cultivar Supacre, disclosed in a U.S. Plant Patent application pollination in a controlled environment in Cobbitty, New filed concurrently, primarily in floret coloration. In addition, South Wales, Australia in September, 2001. The selection of plants of the new Argyranthemum are more freely branching the new Argyranthemum was based on its attractive inflo- 25 than plants of the cultivar Supacre. rescence form and ray floret coloration. Plants of the new Argyranthemum can be compared to ASexual reproduction of the new Argyranthemum by plants of the cultivar Supaglow, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. terminal cuttings in a controlled environment in Cobbitty, No. 14,158. In side-by-side comparisons conducted in New South Wales, Australia since September, 2001, has Cobbitty, New South Wales, Australia, plants of the new shown that the unique features of this new Argyranthemum 30 Argyranthemum differed primarily from plants of the culti are stable and reproduced true to type in Successive genera- var Supaglow in ray and disc floret coloration. tions. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS The new Argyranthemum has not been observed under all 35 The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary overall appearance of the new cultivar, showing the colors as somewhat with variations in environment Such as tempera- true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored repro ture and light intensity without, however, any variance in ductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ genotype. slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical The following characteristics have been repeatedly 40 description which accurately describe the colors of the new observed and are determined to be basic characteristics of Argyranthemum. US PP15,894 P2 3 4 The photograph at the bottom of the sheet comprises a upright and outwardly on terminal and axillary Side perspective view of typical flowering plants of Supa peduncles. Inflorescences positioned perpendicular crest grown in a container. to the peduncles. Inflorescences persistent. The photograph at the top of the sheet comprises a Flowering response.-Under natural conditions, plant flower from spring to early fall in Southern Califor close-up view of typical inflorescences of Supacrest. nia, plants flower continuous during this period. Inflorescence longevity.-Inflorescences last about ten DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION days on the plant. The aforementioned photographs, following observations Quantity of inflorescenceS.-Freely flowering, about and averaged measurements describe plants grown in 12 open inflorescences per lateral branch. Encinitas, Calif., in an outdoor nursery under full Sunlight Fragrance.-Strong, unpleasant. during the winter and Spring with day temperatures ranging Inflorescence size.-Diameter: About 4.2 cm. Depth from 15 to 24 C. and night temperatures ranging from 10 (height): About 1 cm. Diameter of disc: About 1.8 to 19 C. Plants were grown in one-gallon containers with cm. Receptacle height: About 6 mm. Receptacle two plants per container. Plants were pinched one time about diameter: About 1.3 cm. five weeks after planting. Plants had been growing for about Inflorescence buds, at Stage of showing color-Height: 16 weeks when the photographs and description were taken. About 1 cm. Diameter: About 8 mm. Shape: Ovoid. Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Soci Color: 80C. ety Colour Chart, 1995 Edition, except where general terms Ray florets.-Quantity per inflorescence: About 35 of ordinary dictionary significance are used. arranged in two whorls. Shape: Ligulate. Length: About 2.2 cm. Width: About 5 mm. Apex: Emargin ate. Base: Acute. Margin: Entire. Texture, upper and Botanical classification: Argyranthemum fruiteScens cultivar lower Surfaces: Smooth, Satiny. Aspect: Initially Supacrest. upright; when mature, horizontal to Slightly upright. Parentage: Color: When opening, upper Surface: 80C. When Female or Seed parent.-Argyranthemum frutescens opening, lower Surface: 78D. Fully opened, upper cultivar Summer Melody, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. Surface: 78C to 78D; towards the base, 155D; color No. 11,763. becoming close to 75D with development eventually Male or pollen parent.-Argyranthemum frutescens fading to close to 155D. Fully opened, lower surface: cultivar Sam, not patented. 75C. Propagation: Disc florets.-Arrangement: Massed at the center of the Type.-Terminal vegetative cuttings. inflorescence. Quantity per inflorescence: About 80. Time to initiate roots.--About 10 days at 20° C. Shape: Tubular, enlarged; apex, five-pointed; base, Time to produce a rooted cutting.-About three weeks fused. Length: About 8 mm. Diameter, apex: About at 20° C. 2 mm. Diameter, base: LeSS than 1 mm. Color: Apex: Root description.-Fibrous, fine; white in color. 9A; color becoming closer to 158C with develop ROOting description.-Freely branching, dense. ment. Mid-section and base: 155D. Plant description: Involucral bracts (phyllaries).-Appearance: Scale General appearance.-Inverted triangle; compact, like; margins, papery. Quantity per inflorescence: upright and mounded plant form with dense foliage About 20. Length: About 4 mm. Width: About 2 mm. and inflorescences held above and beyond the foli Shape: Elliptic. Apex: Acute. Base: Truncate. Mar age. Vigorous growth habit. gin: Entire. Texture, upper and lower Surfaces: Plant height.-About 32 cm. Glabrous, Smooth. Color, upper and lower Surfaces: Plant width, Single plant.-About 27.5 cm. 144A. Lateral branch description.-Quantity per plant: Peduncle.-Strength: Moderately strong; wiry. Aspect: About nine primary lateral branches; each with about Upright to about 45° from vertical. Length, terminal four Secondary lateral branches. Length: About 27 inflorescence: About 8.5 cm. Diameter: About 1 mm. cm. Diameter: About 4 mm. Internode length: About Texture: Smooth, glabrous. Color: 144A. 1.2 cm. Aspect: Upright to outwardly spreading. Reproductive OrganS.-Androecium: Present on disc Texture: Smooth, glabrous. Color: 145A. florets only. Quantity per floret: Five. Anther shape: Foliage description.-Arrangement: Alternate, simple. Oblong. Anther length: LeSS than 1 mm. Anther Length: About 5 cm. Width: About 2.5 cm. Shape: color. 15A. Amount of pollen: Scarce. Pollen color: Pinnatifid, deeply and finely dissected. Apex: Acute. 15A. Gynoecium: Present on ray and disc florets. Base: Attenuate. Margin: Entire, deeply and finely Quantity per floret: One. Pistillength: About 6 mm. dissected; sinuses parallel. Texture, upper and lower Stigma Shape: Two-parted. Stigma color: 14A. Style Surfaces: Smooth, glabrous. Venation pattern: Pin length: About 4 mm. Style color: 145D. Ovary color: nate. Petiole length: About 1.8 cm. Petiole diameter: 157B. Seed/fruit: Seed and fruit production has not About 2.5 mm. Petiole texture, upper and lower been observed. Surfaces: Smooth, glabrous. Color: Developing Disease/pest resistance: Resistance to pathogens and pests foliage, upper Surface: 137A. Developing foliage, common to Argyranthemums has not been observed on lower surface: 137C. Fully expanded foliage, upper plants grown under commercial conditions. Surface: 147A. Fully expanded foliage, lower Sur Temperature/weather tolerance: Plants of the new Argyran face: 147B. Venation, upper and lower surfaces: themum have been observed to be tolerant to rain, wind 147B. Petiole, upper and lower surfaces: 147B. and to temperatures from -1 to 30° C. Inflorescence description: It is claimed: Appearance.-Anemone-type inflorescence form with 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Argyranthemum plant ligulate ray florets. Disc and ray florets develop named “Supacrest, as illustrated and described. acropetally on a capitulum. Inflorescences held k k k k k U.S. Patent Jul. 26, 2005 US PP15,894 P2