Chrysanthemum plant named Leona

A Chrysanthemum plant named Leona particularly characterized by its flat capitulum form, anemone capitulum type, bronze ray floret color, diameter across face of capitulum of up to 9 cm at maturity, with diameter of anemone cushion up to 3 cm.; uniform eight week photoperiodic flowering response to short days, peduncle length ranging form 10 to 25 cm on open, terminal sprays, and medium plant height when grown as a single stem spray cut mum.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of 
Chrysanthemum, botanically known as Dendranthema grandiflora, and referred 
to by the cultivar name Leona. 
Leona, identified as 84-112003, was originated from a cross made by 
Cornelis P. VandenBerg in a controlled breeding program in Salinas, 
Calif., in 1983. 
The female parent and the male parent of Leona were both unnamed seedlings, 
identified respectively as 78-20008 and 77-358001. 
Leona was discovered and selected as one flowering plant within the progeny 
of the stated cross by Cornelis P. VandenBerg in August 1984, in a 
controlled environment in Salinas, Calif. 
The first act of asexual reproduction of Leona was accomplished when 
vegetative cuttings were taken from the initial selection in October 1984, 
in a controlled environment in Salinas, Calif., by technicians working 
under formulations established and supervised by Cornelis P. VandenBerg. 
Horticultural examination of controlled flowerings of successive plantings 
has shown that the unique combination of characteristics as herein 
disclosed for Leona are firmly fixed and are retained through successive 
generations of asexual reproduction. 
Leona has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. 
The phenotype may vary significantly with variations in environment such 
as temperature, light intensity and daylength. 
The following observations, measurements and comparisons describe plants 
grown in Salinas, Calif. under greenhouse conditions which approximate 
those generally used in commercial greenhouse practice. 
The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be 
basic characteristics of Leona, which, in combination, distinguish this 
Chrysanthemum as a new and distinct cultivar: 
1. Flat capitulum form. 
2. Anemone capitulum type. 
3. Bronze ray floret color. 
4. Diameter across face of capitulum up to 9 cm at maturity, with diameter 
of anemone cushion up to 3 cm. 
5. Uniform eight week photoperiodic flowering response to short days. 
6. Peduncle length ranging from 10 to 25 cm on open terminal sprays. 
7. Medium plant height, requiring two long day weeks prior to short days to 
attain a flowered plant height of 100 to 110 cm for year-round flowerings.

Of the commercial cultivars known to the inventor, the most similar in 
comparison to Leona is Dramatic, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,189. 
Reference is made to attached Chart A, which compares certain 
characteristics of Leona to the same characteristics of Dramatic. 
Similar traits are ray floret color and diameter of capitulum. Leona is an 
anemone, while Dramatic is a daisy. Leona has longer peduncles, taller 
plant height and a shorter flowering response period. Dramatic frequently 
exhibits compounding of the spray formation, while Leona always has a 
terminal spray formation. 
In the following description color references are made to The Royal 
Horticultural Society Colour Chart. The exact color of the ray florets of 
Leona is not represented in The R.H.S. Colour Chart, and the color values 
given are those closest to the actual color of Leona. The color values 
were determined on plant material grown in Salinas, Calif. on July 15, 
1988. 
Classification: 
Botanical.--Dendranthema grandiflora, cv Leona. 
Commercial.--Anemone cut spray mum. 
INFLORESCENCE 
A. Capitulum: 
Form.--Flat. 
Type.--Anemone. 
Diameter across face.--Up to 9 cm at maturity, with diameter of anemone 
cushion up to 3 cm. 
B. Corolla of Ray Florets: 
Color (general tonality from a distance of three meters).--Bronze. 
Color (upper surface).--16A, with an overcast of 163A. 
Color (under surface).16B. 
Shape.--Flat, straight, oblong. 
C. Corolla of Disc Florets: 
Color (mature).--16A, tinged with 163A. 
Color (immature).--16A, tinged with 163A and a slight green overcast. 
D. Reproductive organs: 
Androecium.--Present on disc florets only; moderate pollen. 
Gynoecium.--Present on both ray and disc florets. 
PLANT 
A. General Appearance: 
Height.--Medium; 100 to 110 cm as a single stem cut mum with two long day 
weeks prior to short days. 
B. Foliage: 
Color (upper surface).--147A. 
Color (under surface).--147B. 
Shape.--Deeply lobed and serrated. 
CHART A 
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COMISON OF LEONA and DRAMATIC 
Cultivar LEONA DRAMATIC 
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Ray floret color 
Bronze Bronze 
Capitulum form Flat anemone 
Flat daisy 
and type 
Spray formation Terminal Terminal to 
compound 
10 to 25 cm 5 to 12 cm 
peduncles peduncles 
Diameter across up to 9 cm up to 9 cm 
face of capitulum 
Plant height Medium Short 
Flowering response 
8 weeks 9 weeks 
period 
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Comparisons Made of Plants Grown As Single Stem Spray Cut Mums In Salinas 
California