New Guinea Impatiens plant named `Danharpl`

Abstract

A new and distinct cultivar of Impatiens plant named `Danharpl` characterized by having large, round, red-purple flowers borne above the foliage, vigorous branching, foliage that is dark red on the underside, and compact growth habit.

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 `Danharpl`.

`Danharpl` 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 1996. The female parent was in Impatiens cultivar designated A-231. The male parent was an Impatiens cultivar designated B-744. Both parents are proprietary cultivars used in the breeding program.

`Danharpl` was discovered and selected as a flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross by the inventor, Gabriel Danziger, in 1997 in a controlled environment in Mishmar Hashiva, Israel.

The first act of asexual reproduction of `Danharpl` was accomplished when vegetative cuttings were taken from the initial selection in 1997 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 `Danharpl` which in combination distinguish this Impatiens as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Large, round, red-purple flowers borne above the foliage;

2. Vigorous branching;

3. Foliage that is dark red on the underside; and

4. Compact growth habit.

`Danharpl` 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 `Danharpl`, 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. `Danharpl`.

Plant:

General appearance and form.--Height: 15-20 cm. Width: 25-30 cm. Habit: Plant shape is round and compact. Branching: Vigorous in character. Flowering response: 8-9 weeks after planting of rooted cuttings. Flowering season: Throughout the entire year, the instant plant grows in partially shaded areas in temperatures of 10 to 25 degrees Celsius. Lasting quality of bloom: Open during the lifetime of the plant; lasting quality of bloom ranges between 5-10 days after anthesis. Propagation: Leaf-cutting. Rooting: Vigorous, roots initiate in 7-8 days at 25°C and 8-9 days at 20°C Stem: Length is 22-25 cm, diameter is 0.8-1 cm, internode length is 3.5-4 cm. Stem Color: RHS 46 A. Spur Color: RHS 60 B. 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: 8-9 cm. Width of leaf: 3-3.5 cm. Main color on upper surface: Mature leaf: RHS 147 A. Immature leaf: RHS 147 A. Main color on lower surface: Mature leaf: RHS 59 A. Immature leaf: RHS 187 B. Veination: Upper surface: One main, red vein RHS 60 A. Lower surface: One main, red vein (RHS 60 B) and small, red veinations.

Inflorescence:

Corolla.--Form: 5 petals per flower. Shape: Round. Average number: 20-25 flowers open at one time per mature plant (four months old). Size: Between 6 and 7 cm. Petal number: 5. Petal shape: 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 spring when opening, petals are RHS 67 A, fading to RHS 67 B. Lower surface: RHS 66 C.

Bud.--Color: 61 C. 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 curved spur 4 cm long. Pedicel length: 3.5-4 cm. Pedicel color: 60 A.

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, dark-red in color.

Plant disease resistance/susceptibility: This variety is not distinctively resistant or susceptible to plant disease.

Fruits and seeds: Fruit is an explosive capsule. Seeds are smooth, 1 mm width, 2-3 mm length, elliptic shape.

Claims

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