Alstroemeria plant named ‘Zanissa’

Abstract

A new and distinct cultivar of Alstroemeria plant named ‘Zanissa’, characterized by its erect flowering stems; light orange, red purple and yellow-colored flowers with dark purple spots; and excellent postproduction longevity.

Description

Botanical classification/cultivar designation: Alstroemeria hybrida cultivar Zanissa.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present Invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Alstroemeria plant, botanically known as Alstroemeria hybrida, commercially used as a cut flower Alstroemeria, and hereinafter referred to by the name ‘Zanissa’.

The new Alstroemeria is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in Hillegom, The Netherlands. The objective of the breeding program was to develop new cut flower Alstroemeria cultivars with attractive flower colors and excellent postproduction longevity.

The new Alstroemeria originated from a cross made by the Inventor in Hillegom, The Netherlands, of a proprietary Alstroemeria hybrida selection identified as 41197-002, not patented, as the female, or seed, parent, with a proprietary Alstroemeria hybrida selection identified as HA07, not patented, as the male, or pollen, parent. The new Alstroemeria was discovered and selected by the Inventor as a flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment in Hillegom, The Netherlands in 1994. The selection of this new Alstroemeria was based on its attractive flower colors.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by root divisions taken in a controlled environment in Rijsenhout, The Netherlands, has shown that the unique features of this new Alstroemeria are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations of asexual propagation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the cultivar Zanissa have not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature and light intensity without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘Zanissa’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘Zanissa’ as a new and distinct cultivar.

1. Erect flowering stems.

2. Light orange, red purple and yellow-colored flowers with dark purple spots.

3. Excellent postproduction longevity.

Plants of the new Alstroemeria are most similar to plants of the parent selections. However, plants of the new Alstroemeria differ from plants of the female parent in plant growth habit; and plants of the new Alstroemeria differ from plants of the male parent in flower coloration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying colored photograph illustrates the overall appearance of the new Alstroemeria, showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photograph may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors of the new Alstroemeria. The photograph comprises a side perspective view of typical flowers of ‘Zanissa’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs, following observations, measurements and values describe plants of the new Alstroemeria grown in Rijsenhout, The Netherlands in a glass-covered greenhouse in ground beds. During the production of the plants, day temperatures ranged from 10 to 15° C. and night temperatures ranged from 5 to 10° C. Plants used for the photograph and description were about 12 months from planting root divisions.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 1995 Edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

Botanical classification: Alstroemeria hybrida cultivar Zanissa.

Parentage:

Female parent.—Proprietary selection of Alstroemeria hybrida identified as 41197-002, not patented.

Male parent.—Proprietary selection of Alstroemeria hybrida identified as HA07, not patented.

Propagation:

Type.—By root divisions.

Root description.—Fibrous; white, 155A, in color.

Rooting habit.—Freely branching.

Rhizomes.—Shape: Round. Diameter: About 15 to 35 cm. Texture: Smooth. Color: 155D.

Plant description:

Plant habit.—Upright; freely basal branching, bushy appearance.

Time from planting to harvest of cut flowers.—About 90 to 100 days.

Number of flowering stems produced per year.—About 180 to 200.

Plant height.—About 140 to 180 cm.

Plant diameter (spread).—At base of plant: About 25 to 30 cm. At top of plant: About 60 to 80 cm.

Flowering stem description.—Aspect: Erect. Length: About 110 to 160 cm. Diameter: About 8 to 10 mm. Internode length: About 8 cm. Strength: Strong. Texture: Smooth, glabrous. Color: 137A.

Foliage description.—Leaves asymmetrical; sessile. Length: About 4 to 17 cm. Width: About 1 to 3 cm. Shape: Elliptical. Apex: Acute. Base: Attenuate. Margin: Entire, minutely crimped. Texture: Upper surface: Smooth, glabrous. Lower surface: Rough, glabrous. Venation pattern: Parallel. Color: Young and fully developed foliage, upper surface: 137A. Young and fully developed foliage, lower surface: 137B. Venation, upper surface: Close to 137A. Venation, lower surface: Close to 137B.

Flower description:

Flower type and habit.—Single cup-shaped flowers arranged in compound umbels. Perianth segments separate. Freely and continuously flowering. Flowers persistent.

Natural flowering season.—Flowering continuous from the spring through the fall in The Netherlands.

Fragrance.—None detected.

Flower longevity on the plant.—About four weeks.

Flower longevity as a cut flower.—About 20 to 25 days.

Flower buds.—(showing color).—Length: About 4.5 cm. Diameter: About 1 to 2 cm. Shape: Ovoid. Color: 65A.

Umbel length.—About 20 to 25 cm.

Umbel diameter.—About 20 to 30 cm.

Number of flowers per umbel.—About 15 to 30.

Flower diameter.—About 7 cm.

Flower depth (height).—About 5.5 cm.

Perianth.—Arrangement: Six arranged in two whorls. Size: Inner perianth segment: Length: About 5.5 cm. Width: About 3 cm. Outer perianth segment: Length: About 6 cm. Width: About 3.5 cm. Shape: Inner perianth segments: Lanceolate. Outer perianth segments: Obovate. Apex: Inner perianth segments: Acute. Outer perianth segments: Emarginate. Base: Attenuate. Margin: Entire, minutely crimped. Texture: Smooth, glabrous; velvety. Color: Inner perianth segments: When opening and fully opened, upper surface: Lateral segments: Distal central spot, 60A to 61A; surrounded by 62A; midsection and towards base, 9C. Spots, 30 to 40 in number; 187A in color. Lower segment: Distal central spot, 60A to 61A; surrounded by 62A. Spots, 10 to 15 in number; 187A in color. When opening and fully opened, lower surface: Lateral segments: Distal central spot, 60B; surrounded by 62A, midsection and towards base, 11B. Lower segment: Distal central spot, 60B; surrounded by 62A. Outer perianth segments: When opening and fully opened, upper surface: Central spot, 60A to 61A; surrounded by 62A to 62B. When opening and fully opened, lower surface: Central spot, 60B; surrounded by 62A to 62B.

Pedicels.—Length: About 1 to 4 cm. Diameter: About 3 to 4 mm. Strength: Strong. Aspect: Erect. Texture: Smooth, glabrous. Color: 137A.

Reproductive organs.—Stamens: Quantity per flower: Six. Anther length: About 5 to 10 mm. Anther color: 148A. Filament length: About 4 mm. Filament color: 70B. Pollen color: 200A. Pistils: Quantity per flower: One. Stigma color: 70A. Style length: About 4 to 5 cm. Style color: 70B.

Fruit.—Shape: Ovoid. Color: 163A. Fertile: No.

Disease/pest resistance: Plants of the new Alstroemeria has not been observed to be resistant to pathogens and pests common to Alstroemerias.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Alstroemeria plant named ‘Zanissa’, as illustrated and described.