Calla lily plant named ‘Toronto’

‘Toronto’ is a new variety of calla lily plant having inflorescences with a purple/red-colored spathe that produces 4-16 inflorescences per tuber. The height of the top of an inflorescence above the soil can reach up to 44 cm. The leaves are green with transparent maculations present and have a leathery texture.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of calla lily, botanically known asZantedeschia sprengeriand hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘Toronto’.

‘Toronto’ is a product of a planned breeding program, which had the objective of creatingZantedeschiahybrids for pot flower production in a wide range of colors with a large, classic flower shape. The breeding program began in 1989, and the new cultivar is a seedling selected from the crossing of aZantedeschia sprengeriselection referred to as Z041373 (female parent, unpatented) with aZantedeschia sprengeriselection referred to as Z050902-797 (male parent, unpatented). ‘Toronto’ was selected in 2012 by the inventor in 't Zand, The Netherlands as one flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross.

The first act of asexual reproduction of ‘Toronto’ by tissue culture was performed by the inventor in September of 2012 in 't Zand, The Netherlands. Subsequent asexual reproductions by tissue culture at the same location have demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are retained and reproduced true to type through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

The following observations, measurements and comparisons describe plants grown from 12 to 14 weeks in 14 cm pots in 't Zand, The Netherlands under greenhouse conditions, which approximate those generally used in horticultural practice. Color references are made to The 2001 R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London, except where general color terms of ordinary significance are used.

The present invention has not been evaluated under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary with variations in environment without a change in the genotype of the plant.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and determined to be basic characteristics of ‘Toronto’ which, in combination, distinguish this calla lily as a new and distinct cultivar:1. Purple/red-colored spathes; and2. High inflorescence production.

Further, when compared to calla lily plant named ‘Sumatra’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 28,013), the upper surface spathe color of ‘Sumatra’ varies between Red-Purple Group RHS 59A and 59B, whereas the upper surface spathe color of ‘Toronto’ varies between Red-Purple Group RHS 60A and 61B.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT