A new and distinct Portulaca cultivar named ‘DPAZ17’ is disclosed, characterized by large white flowers. The new variety has a compact, semi trailing growth habit and forms a dense plant. Flowers distinctively open early in the morning, and remain open into the evening hours. The new variety is a Portulaca, normally produced as an outdoor garden or container plant.

Latin name of the genus and species:Portulaca oleracea.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The newPortulacacultivar is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor, Gavriel Danziger, in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel. The objective of the breeding program was to produce newPortulacavarieties for ornamental commercial applications. The cross resulting in this new variety was made during September 2008.

The seed parent is the unpatented, proprietary seedling variety referred to as Portulaca oleracea‘PT-8-425’ The pollen parent is unknown, as the crossing resulting in ‘DPAZ17’ was an open pollination, with unidentifiable pollen parents. The new variety was discovered in July 2009 by the inventor in a group of seedlings resulting from the 2008 crossing, in a research greenhouse in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘DPAZ17’ by vegetative cuttings was first performed at a research greenhouse in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel in July 2009 and has shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘DPAZ17’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, 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 ‘DPAZ17’ These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘DPAZ17’ as a new and distinctPortulacacultivar:1. Large flowers2. Compact and dense semi trailing habit3. Flowers open early in the morning and stay open for more hours4. Low, spreading growth habit.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DPAZ17’ are similar to plants of the seed parent,Portulaca oleracea‘PT-8-425’ in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘DPAZ17’ have a more compact plant habit, and larger flowers. Additionally, the new cultivar has flowers that stay open for more hours than the seed parent.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DPAZ17’ are comparable to the commercial varietyPortulaca‘Summer Stars White’, patent status unknown to the inventor after reasonable search. ThesePortulacavarieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics, including flower color and flower form. The new variety ‘DPAZ17’ differs in having larger flowers, that stay open more hours during the day. Additionally, ‘DPAZ17’ has a different angle of attachment of the flowers and a more compact and dense plant habit than ‘Summer Stars White’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 2001 except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘DPAZ17’ plants grown in a greenhouse during Spring in Gilroy, Calif. The growing temperature ranged from 14° C. to 30° C. during the day and from 10° C. to 23° C. during the night. General light conditions are bright, normal sunlight. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types.Botanical classification:Portulaca oleracea‘DPAZ17’.

PROPAGATION

Time to initiate roots: 10 to 14 days at approximately 18-21° C.Root description: Fibrous, spreading and dense.

PLANT

FOLIAGE

FLOWER

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

Seeds and fruits: Fruits are egg-shaped 4-5 mm long with a conical shape top. Seeds are glossy black with a circular shape.Disease/pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to diseases or insects has been observed.Temperature tolerance: Will not tolerate temperatures below 7° C.