Coleus plant named ‘Molten Lava’

Abstract

A new and distinct cultivar of Coleus plant named ‘Molten Lava’, characterized by its upright and tall plant habit; and dark purple and dark red bi-colored leaves.

Description

Botanical classification/cultivar designation: Coleus×hybrida cultivar Molten Lava.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present Invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Coleus plant, botanically known as Solenostemon scutellarioides, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name Molten Lava.

The new cultivar was discovered by the Inventor in a controlled environment in Waynesville, N.C. as a naturally-occurring branch mutation of a the Solenostemon scutellarioides cultivar Eclipse, not patented. The new Coleus was observed within a population of plants of the cultivar Eclipse in June, 2000. This branch mutation was selected on the basis of its unique leaf coloration.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by terminal cuttings taken in Waynesville, N.C. since June, 2000, has shown that the unique features of this new Coleus are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the cultivar Molten Lava 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 ‘Molten Lava’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘Molten Lava’ as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Upright and tall plant habit.

2. Dark purple and dark red bi-colored leaves.

Plants of the new Coleus are most similar to plants of the parent, the cultivar Eclipse. Plants of the new Coleus differ from plants of the parent selection primarily in foliage color as plants of the cultivar Eclipse have red, pink, green and yellow-colored leaves. In addition, plants of the new Coleus are taller than plants of the cultivar Eclipse.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new cultivar, showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors of the new Coleus.

The photograph at the top of the sheet comprises a side perspective view of typical plant of ‘Molten Lava’ grown in a container.

The photograph at the bottom of the sheet comprises a close-up view of typical leaves of ‘Molten Lava’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The cultivar Molten Lava has 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 aforementioned photographs, following observations and measurements describe plants grown during the winter and spring in Encinitas, Calif., in an outdoor nursery and under conditions which approximate commercial production cultural and environmental conditions. Plants were about 14 weeks from cuttings and were grown in one-gallon containers. During the production of the plants, day temperatures averaged 24° C. and night temperatures averaged 19° C.

In the following description, 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: Solenostemon scutellarioides cultivar Molten Lava.

Parentage: Naturally-occurring branch mutation of the Solenostemon scutellarioides cultivar Eclipse, not patented.

Propagation:

Type cutting.—Terminal cuttings.

Time to initiate roots.—Summer: About 7 days at 20° C. Winter: About 9 days at 20° C.

Time to develop roots.—Summer: About 18 days at 20° C. Winter: About 20 days at 20° C.

Root description.—Fine, fibrous, white in color.

Rooting habit.—Freely branching.

Plant description:

Form.—Annual flowering plant; upright and tall. Moderate growth rate.

Plant height.—About 50 cm.

Plant diameter.—About 44 cm.

Branching habit.—Freely branching with potentially two lateral branches forming at every node.

Lateral branches.—Length: About 47 cm. Diameter: About 1.7 cm. Internode length: About 4 cm. Shape, in cross-section: Squarish. Texture: Glabrous. Color: 59A.

Foliage description.—Arrangement: Opposite; simple. Length: About 7.5 cm. Width: About 4 cm. Shape: Elliptic. Apex: Acute. Base: Attenuate to truncate. Margin: Crenate, scalloped; ruffled. Texture, upper and lower surfaces: Pubescent; velvety. Venation pattern: Pinnate. Color: Young foliage, upper surface: Close to 183A. Young foliage, lower surface: 183D. Fully expanded foliage, upper surface: Center, darker than 183A to close to 187A; towards the margin, 185A. Fully expanded foliage, lower surface: 185A. Venation, upper and lower surfaces: 185B. Petiole length: About 2.8 mm. Petiole diameter: About 3 mm. Petiole color: 199A.

Flower description: Flower development has not been observed.

Disease/pest resistance: Plants of the new Coleus have not been noted to be resistant to pathogens or pests common to Coleus.

Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Coleus have been observed to tolerate temperatures from 2 to 35° C.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Coleus plant named ‘Molten Lava’, as illustrated and described.