Alstroemeria named Emilia

Abstract

This plant is particularly characterized by its dwarf habit which makes the plant eminently suitable for cultivation as a potted plant. In addition, the plant bears several flowering stalks which carry large attractive flowers which are predominantly of a mix of purple and white coloration. The attractive flowers and desirable growth habit of this plant provide a novel addition to the range of Alstroemerias.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

This new variety of Alstroemeria originated as a seedling resulting from crossing two plants growing among a collection of breeding stock maintained in a greenhouse in Encinitas, Calif. The seedling was selected for further propagation and testing because of the dwarf characteristic of the whole plant, and the attractive color of the many large flowers contained in several inflorescences as the plant bloomed in a pot. The select plant was propagated in Salt Lake City, Utah, by division of the rhizomatous rootstock and through tissue culture. The distinguishing charcteristics of the new plant hold true in successive vegetative generations and appear to be firmly fixed. Propagation work is currently being carried out in Salt Lake City using tissue culture methods.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

This new variety of Alstreomeria plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographic drawing in full color showing a blooming umbel of the plant with buds and flowers in different stages of flower development. The color renditions are believed to be as close to the specified color as is possible to obtain by conventional photographic procedures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

The following is a detailed description of the new Alstroemeria variety with color designations according to the R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London, England. The observations were made on plants grown in a greenhouse in Utah county, Utah, during the summer.

THE PLANT

Origin: Seedling (73-BE-80A).

Parentage:

Seed parent.--Breeding stock plant No. BE.

Pollen parent.--Breeding stock plant No. 80A.

Classification: Alstroemeria hybrid.

Form: Compact, erect bush with a slightly spreading habit having several flower stalks bearing branches with simple umbel arrangement at the tops.

Height: About 35 to 45 cm.

Growth: Erect, vigorous and strong.

Rootstock: Rhizomatous, the rhizomes bear numerous buds which give rise to vegetative and reproductive shoots throughout the growth period. Rhizomes also produce roots, some of which become tuberous.

Foliage:

Quantity.--Medium, about 25 to 35 leaves per stem.

Leaf size.--About 11 cm.

Leaf shape.--Elliptical.

Texture.--Waxy.

Color.--Upper surface -- Green. Lower surface -- Grey-green.

THE BUD

Form: Pear-shaped. The six petals are perianth and there is no calyx.

Size: Medium.

Diameter.--1.0 cm.

Length.--2.0 cm

Length of peduncle: 2.5 to 4.5 cm.

THE FLOWER

Blooming habit: Continuous and freely flowering throughout the season.

Flower size: Medium.

Diameter.--About 5.5 cm.

Length.--About 6.5 cm.

Shape: Generally funnel-like.

Borne: Singly.

Petalage:

Number.--Six.

Arrangement.--Two concentric circles of three.

Form.--Outer petals -- Obcordate. Inner petals -- Elliptical.

Texture.--Smooth.

Appearance.--Satiny.

Color.--Outer Petals: The distal portion is purple, 77C, and the basal part is 77D. There is a distinct patch of color, 77A, in the central part of the distal half. Central, on the upper margin is a small, green protruberance, 141B, subtended by a small, green area and a larger area of white. The reverse surface is purple, distally 77C, and basally 78C. Three, green, longitudinal veins originate from the green protruberance and extend over the distal half of the petal through a region of distinct color, 72A. Inner petals: Upper; The small, pointed, tip is light green. The distal portion is pale red-purple, 69C. In the mid section is a central, yellow patch, 3A. The basal part is red-purple, 69B. There are prominent, longitudinal, streaks of greyed-purple, 187A, covering the petal. These streaks are larger toward the distal end. The distal half of the reverse surface is purple, 77D, with a medial patch of yellow, 1B. The basal part is purple, 77D. The streaks on the other surface are visible through the petal. Lower; There is a small, pointed, green tip. The distal part is pale red-purple, 69D, with a medial patch of purple, 77B. The basal half is pale red-purple, 69B. Longitudinal greyed-purple streaks, 187A, are visible on the mid section. The reverse surface is is pale purple, 77D. There is a longitudinal, medial, streak of purple, 77B, prominent in the distal half. The streaks on the other surface are visible through the petal.

Persistence: The flowers hang and dry.

Lasting quality: On the plant, 14-18 days.

Main stem or stalk:

Length.--35 to 45 cm.

Color.--Green.

Character.--Upright, and strong.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

Stamens:

Number.--Six.

Arrangement.--One opposite each petal.

Anthers.--Size: 7.0 mm. Color: Light brown.

Filaments.--Length: About 4.5 cm. Color: Pink.

Pollen.--Color: Grey-blue.

Pistils:

Number.--One.

Style.--Length: About 4.8 cm. Color: Pink.

Stigma.--Color: Pink.

Fruit:

Shape.--Capsular.

Color.--Light brown at maturity.

Claims

1. A new and distinctive Alstroemeria hybrid, substantially as shown and described herein, characterized by a dwarf habit and large purple and white colored flowers which are borne in attractive inflorescences on relatively dwarf flower stalks.