plant named ‘KLECA24A40’

Abstract

A new Calibrachoa plant particularly distinguished by having a magenta flower color with white stripes, good branching and a semi-mounding habit is disclosed.

Description

Genus and species: Calibrachoa sp.

Variety denomination: ‘KLECA24A40’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct variety of Calibrachoa, botanically known as Calibrachoa sp., and hereinafter referred to by the variety name ‘KLECA24A40’. ‘KLECA24A40’ originated from a controlled-cross between the female Calibrachoa variety ‘KLECA22822’ (unpatented) and the male Calibrachoa variety ‘KLECA22915’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 36,002).

In May 2020, the two Calibrachoa parental lines were crossed via a controlled-cross in Nairobi, Kenya and seeds were obtained. The seeds were sown and plants were grown for evaluation. A plant line was selected in May 2021 in Stuttgart, Germany and subsequently named ‘KLECA24A40’. ‘KLECA24A40’ was first vegetatively propagated by cuttings in May 2021 in Stuttgart, Germany. ‘KLECA24A40’ was found to reproduce true to type in successive generations of asexual propagation via cuttings.

SUMMARY

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new variety when grown under normal horticultural practices in Stuttgart, Germany.

• • 1. Magenta flower color with white stripes; and
  • 2. Good branching and semi-mounding habit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

This new Calibrachoa plant is illustrated by the accompanying photograph which shows a close-up of the whole plant. The photograph is of an 11-week-old-plant grown indoors in Stuttgart, Germany in May 2024. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘KLECA24A40’. The data which define these characteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out in Stuttgart, Germany. Data was collected on 14-week old plants after transplant in Latina, Italy. Color references are to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.), 5^th edition (2007).

• Classification:
  • • Family.—Solanaceae.
    • Species.—Calibrachoa sp.
    • Common name.—Calibrachoa.
• Parentage:
  • • Female.—‘KLECA22822’ (unpatented).
    • Male.—‘KLECA22915’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 36,002).
• Plant description:
  • • Life cycle.—Annual.
    • Form.—Short-lived subshrub.
    • Habit.—Semi-trailing.
    • Height (from soil line to top of foliage).—9.8 cm.
    • Spread.—49.0 cm.
• Propagation:
  • • Type cuttings.—Tip cuttings.
    • Time to produce a rooted cutting.—3 weeks.
• Stems:
  • • Stem color.—RHS 144B.
    • Pubescence.—Present.
    • Pubescence color.—RHS 155A.
    • Stem diameter.—0.1 cm.
    • Stem length.—From soil line to first node: 1.1 cm. Total length: 32.4 cm.
    • Internode length.—2.1 cm.
• Leaves:
  • • Arrangement.—Alternate.
    • Shape.—Elliptic.
    • Apex.—Acute.
    • Base.—Acute.
    • Margin.—Ciliate.
    • Surface pubescence.—Present.
    • Pubescence color.—RHS 155A.
    • Venation color.—Upper surface: RHS 137A. Lower surface: RHS 137D.
    • Venation pattern.—Arcuate.
    • Length.—3.1 cm (mature leaves).
    • Width.—1.1 cm (mature leaves).
    • Color.—Upper surface: RHS 137A. Lower surface: RHS 137D.
    • Fragrance.—Absent.
• Flowers:
  • • Flowering habit.—Single flower.
    • Flower type.—Single.
    • Flowering requirements.—A minimum amount of 10.5 to 11 hours per day of sunlight is required.
    • Duration of flowers.—7 to 12 days.
    • Corolla.—Smooth (both upper and lower surfaces).
    • Shape.—Funnel form.
    • Corolla lobing.—Obtuse, medium lobing.
    • Fragrance.—Absent.
    • Upper surface flower vein conspicuousness.—Weak.
• Flower buds:
  • • Surface.—Pubescent.
    • Length.—2.1 cm.
    • Diameter.—0.35 cm.
    • Shape.—Irregular to oblong.
    • Color.—RHS N78C (top buds) 150D (base buds).
• Peduncle:
  • • Length.—1.4 cm.
    • Diameter.—Less than 0.1 cm.
    • Color.—RHS 144D.
    • Texture.—Pubescent.
    • Anthocyanin color.—RHS 59C (partially present, color shaded).
• Flower description:
  • • Flower depth.—2.5 cm.
    • Flower tube length.—1.7 cm.
    • Flower tube diameter.—0.8 cm.
    • Flower diameter.—4.3 cm.
• Sepals:
  • • Number of sepals.—5 per flower.
    • Shape.—Ovate.
    • Apex.—Narrow acute.
    • Margin.—Ciliate.
    • Length.—1.0 cm.
    • Diameter.—0.3 cm.
    • Sepal color.—Upper surface: RHS 138A. Lower surface: RHS 144B.
• Petals:
  • • Number of petals.—5 per flower.
    • Shape.—Obcordate.
    • Length.—1.9 cm.
    • Apex.—Obcordate.
    • Margin.—Entire.
    • Base.—Fuse in the tube.
    • Pubescence.—Absent on both surfaces.
    • Flower lobing.—Obtuse.
    • Lobe length.—1.9 cm.
    • Lobe width.—1.4 cm.
    • Color.—Lobe color: Upper surface: RHS N74A main color and RHS NN155C colored stripes; main color is medium sized at color transition to corolla tube; narrow stripes along the fused part of the corolla lobe. Lower surface: RHS N78C main color and RHS NN155A colored stripes; main color is medium sized at color transition to corolla tube; narrow stripes along the fused part of the corolla lobes. Corolla tube color: Inner: RHS 12C. Outer: RHS 150D.
    • Fragrance.—Absent.
• Reproductive organs:
  • • Stamen number.—5.
    • Stamen color.—Anther color: RHS 13B. Filament color: RHS 1C. Pollen color: RHS 12A.
    • Ovary.—Placenta arrangement: Ovate. Pistil number: 1. Pistil length: 0.7 cm. Stigma color: RHS 145B. Style length: 0.6 cm. Style color: RHS 145B.
• Fruit/seed set: None observed.
• Disease/insect resistance: No pests and disease were observed.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL LINES AND KNOWN VARIETY

‘KLECA24A40’ is distinguished from its parental lines as described in Table 1:

TABLE 1
Comparison with Parental Lines
			Male Parent
		Female Parent	‘KLECA22915’
	Variety	‘KLECA22822’	(U.S. Plant Pat.
Trait	‘KLECA24A40’	(unpatented)	No. 36,002)
Main	Magenta	Blue	Red
Flower
Color

‘KLECA24A40’ is most similar to the Calibrachoa plant named ‘KLECA16006’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 29,433). Differences between the two varieties are described in Table 2:

TABLE 2
Comparison with Similar Variety
		Variety	Commercial line
	Trait	‘KLECA24A40’	‘KLECA16006’
	Main Flower	Magenta	Pink
	Color

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of Calibrachoa plant designated ‘KLECA24A40’ as illustrated and described herein.