New Guinea impatiens plant named `Danharpley`

Abstract

A new and distinct cultivar of Impatiens plant named `Danharpley` characterized by having large, round, bicolored bloom of dark pink and lavender, numerous flowers borne above the foliage, vigorous branching, dark green foliage, and early flowering response.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of New Guinea Impatiens plant, botanically known as Impatiens, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name `Danharpley`.

`Danharpley` is a product of a planned breeding program and was originated from a hybridization made by the inventor, Gabriel Danziger, in a controlled breeding program in Mishmar Hashiva, Israel, in 1997. The female parent was an Impatiens cultivar designated G-223. The male parent was an Impatiens cultivar designated A-251. Both parents are proprietary cultivars used in the breeding program.

`Danharpley` was discovered and selected as a flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross by the inventor, Gabriel Danziger, in 1998 in a controlled environment in Mishmar Hashiva, Israel.

The first act of asexual reproduction of `Danharpley` was accomplished when vegetative cuttings were taken from the initial selection in 1998 in a controlled environment in Mishmar Hashiva, Israel by Gabriel Danziger. The cuttings are apical cuttings. No more than two expanded leaves and 3-4 immature leaves are evident. Horticultural examination of plants grown from these cuttings in Mishmar Hashiva, Israel, has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be basic characteristics of `Danharpley` which in combination distinguish this Impatiens as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Large, round, bicolored bloom of dark pink and lavender;

2. Numerous flowers borne above the foliage;

3. Vigorous branching;

4. Dark green foliage; and

5. Early flowering response.

`Danharpley` has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary significantly with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, and daylength without any change in the genotype of the plant. The following observations, measurements and values describe the new cultivar as grown in Mishmar Hashiva, Israel under greenhouse conditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying color photographic drawing shows typical flower and foliage characteristics of `Danharpley`, with colors being as true as possible with illustrations of this type.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The measurements were taken in Mishmar Hashiva, Israel, and are based on plants grown from rooted cuttings in a net-covered greenhouse during the summer at temperatures of 35°C maximum and 18°C minimum. In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), except where general colors of ordinary significance are used.

Species: Impatiens hawkeri.

Classification:

Botanical.--A hybrid of the genus Impatiens.

Commercial.--New Guinea Impatiens, cv. `Danharpley`.

Plant:

General appearance and form.--Height: 15-20 cm. Width: 25-30 cm. Habit: Plant shape is round and compact, vigorous branching and early flowering response. Flowering response: 8-9 weeks after planting of rooted cuttings. Flowering season: Throughout the entire year, the instant plant is an annual plant, it grows in partially shaded areas in temperatures of 10 C.-25 C. degrees. Lasting quality of bloom: Open during the lifetime of the plant lasting quality of individual bloom ranges between 5-10 days after anthesis. Propagation: Leaf-cutting. Rooting: Vigorous, roots initiate in 6-7 days at 25°C and 8-9 days at 20°C Stem: Length is 17-20 cm, diameter is 0.5-0.8 cm, internode length is 3.5-4 cm. Stem Color: RHS 184 A. Spur Color: RHS 160 D. Fragrance: Flowers have no fragrance.

Foliage.--Shape of leaf: Lanceolate, base is acuminate, tip is attenuate. Margin: Serrated, displays ciliation. Texture: Smooth. Length of leaf: 7.0-7.5 cm. Width of leaf: 3-3.5 cm. Main color on upper surface: Mature leaf: Closest to RHS 147 A. Immature leaf: Closest to RHS 147 A. Main color on lower surface: Mature leaf: RHS 184 B. Immature leaf: RHS 184 C. Veination: Upper surface: One main, red vein RHS 60 A. Lower surface: One main, red vein and small, red veinations (RHS 60 B) going from the main vein down to the tip of the leaf.

Inflorescence:

Corolla.--Form: 5 petals per flower. Shape: Round. Average number: 20-25 flowers per mature plant (4 months old) at any given time. Size: 5.5-6.5 cm. Petal number: 5. Petal shape: The corolla consists of 5 petals, 4 are heart-shaped, the dorsal petals are free, the lateral petals are fused in pairs. The dorsal petal is wider than the lateral petals and is also heart-shaped. Petal color: Upper surface: In summer when opening, the secondary color of the petals is RHS 74 A, the background color is 72 C, fading to 73 D. Lower surface: RHS 74 C.

Bud.--Color: 63 A. Response: 6-7 weeks after planting of rooted cuttings, developing into open flowers approximately two weeks later. Size before opening: 2-2.5 cm. Aspect: Stands above pedicel and has a spur 4 cm long. Pedicel length: 3.5-4 cm. Pedicel color: 145 B.

Reproductive organs.--Stamens: 1. Anthers: Round, light-red in color. Pollen: White. Stigma: Round, nearly white in color. Ovary: Four-celled, 1 mm in length, light green in color.

Disease resistance: This variety is not distinctively resistant or susceptible to plant disease.

Seeds: Seeds are smooth, 1 mm width, 2-3 mm length, elliptic shape.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Impatiens plant named `Danharpley`, as illustrated and described herein.