Chrysanthemum plant named Fascination

A Chrysanthemum plant named Fascination having flat capitulum form and spoon tipped daisy type; lavender ray floret color; diameter of 1" to 2.5" across face of flower; uniform eight week flowering response using photoperiodic control and when grown in a 6" pot with its center bud removed.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of 
Chrysanthemum morifolium, Ramat., hereinafter referred to by the cultivar 
name Fascination. 
Fascination is a product of a planned breeding program which had the 
objective of creating new Chrysanthemum cultivars with novelty flower 
forms, early response, and having the ability to be grown in year around 
programs. Such traits in combination were not present or needed 
improvement in previously available commercial cultivars. 
Fascination was originated from a hybridization made in a controlled 
breeding program by Leonard H. Shoesmith in Westfield, Woking, Great 
Britain in 1979. The male and female parents are unknown at this time. 
Fascination was discovered and selected as one flowering plant within the 
progeny of the stated parentage by or under the supervision of Leonard H. 
Shoesmith in November of 1979 in a controlled environment in West Chicago, 
Ill., and given the code #P9-1215-PS. 
The first act of asexual reproduction of Fascination was accomplished when 
vegetative cuttings were taken from the initial selection in February of 
1980 in a controlled environment in West Chicago, Ill. by a technician 
working under formulations established and supervised by Leonard H. 
Shoesmith. Horticultural examination of selected units initiated February 
of 1980 has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein 
disclosed for Fascination are firmly fixed and are retained through 
successive generations of asexual reproduction. 
Fascination has not been observed under all possible environmental 
conditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations in 
environment such as temperature, light intensity and day length. The 
following observations, measurements and comparisons describe plants grown 
in West Chicago, Ill. and Parrish, Fla. under greenhouse conditions which 
approximate those generally used in commercial practice. 
The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be 
basic characteristics of Fascination which in combination distinguish this 
Chrysanthemum as a new and distinct cultivar: 
(1) Flat capitulum form. 
(2) Spoon tipped daisy type under cool temperatures, changing to a more 
flat petalled daisy under high temperature. 
(3) Ray floret color is medium lavender at cool temperatures, but fades to 
a very light lavender at extremely high temperatures. 
(4) Diameter across face of flower is 1" to 2.5". 
(5) Uniform 8 week flowering response using photoperiodic control, when 
grown in a 6" pot with its center bud removed. 
(6) Height is 12" to 18" above edge of a 6" pot; height is dependent on 
time of bud initiation and temperature. 
Of the many commercial cutivars known to the present inventor, the most 
similar in comparison to Fascination is Fantasy. In comparison to Fantasy, 
Fascination has a lighter color, a more quilled flower type, and is less 
sensitive to temperature extremes, both high and low. The flower form and 
plant habit are similar to those same characteristics of Fantasy.

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal 
Horticultural Society Colour Chart. The color values were determined at 
approximately 12:00 noon on May 2, 1985 under inflorescent light at 
Bradenton, Fla. 
Classification: 
Botanical.--Chrysanthemum morifolium, Ramat., cv Fascination. 
Commercial.--Pot mum with center bud removed. 
I. INFLORESCENCE 
A. Capitulum: 
Form.--Flat. 
Type.--Spoon tipped, single. 
Diameter across face.--1" to 2.5". 
B. Corolla of ray florets: 
Color (general tonality from a distance of three meters).--Lavender. 
Color (upper surface).--77B-C; spoon tip 77B. 
Color (under surface).--77B-C. 
C. Corolla of disc florets: 
Color (mature).--Yellow. 
Color (immature)--Yellow. 
D. Reproductive organs: 
Androecium.--Present in disc florets only; insignificant. 
Gynoecium.--One per both ray and disc floret. 
II. PLANT 
A. General appearance: 
Height.--12" to 18" above the edge of a 6" pot. 
B. Foliage: 
Color (upper surface).--147A. 
Color (under surface).--147B. 
Shape.--Deeply lobed, margin repand.