Floribunda rose plant named `Meisocrat`

A new and distinct variety of Floribunda rose plant is provided which abundantly forms attractive light Carmine Pink blossoms possessing a large number of petals and having a configuration similar to that of an old-fashioned rose. The blossoms exhibit a distinctive fragrance that is reminiscent of green apple. The plant exhibits a compact and bushy growth habit. Attractive dark green and glossy vegetation is formed. The new variety is particularly well suited for growing as ornamentation in the landscape.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The new variety of Floribunda rose plant was created by artificial 
pollination wherein two parents were crossed which previously had been 
studied in the hope that they would contribute the desired 
characteristics. The female parent (i.e., the seed parent) was the product 
of the cross of the `Meituraphar` variety (non-patented in the United 
States) and the `Mrs. John Laing` variety (non-patented in the United 
States). The male parent (i.e., the pollen parent) of the new variety was 
the `Egeskov` variety (non-patented in the United States). The parentage 
of the new variety can be summarized as follows: 
EQU (`Meituraphar`.times.`Mrs. John Laing`).times.`Egeskov`. 
The seeds resulting from the above pollination were sown and 371 small 
plants were obtained which were physically and biologically different from 
each other. Selective study resulted in the identification of a single 
plant of the new variety. 
It was found that the new variety of Floribunda rose plant of the present 
invention possesses the following combination of characteristics: 
(a) forms in abundance attractive light Carmine Pink blossoms possessing a 
large number of petals and having a configuration similar to that of an 
old-fashioned rose, 
(b) exhibits a compact and bushy growth habit, 
(c) exhibits a fragrance, 
(d) forms attractive dark green and glossy vegetation, and 
(e) is particularly well suited for growing as ornamentation in the 
landscape. 
The new variety has undergone asexual propagation by a number of routes in 
France, including budding grafting, and cuttage. The characteristics of 
the new variety have been found to be strictly transmissible by such 
asexual propagation from one generation to another in both France. 
The new variety has been named the `Meisocrat` variety.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
The chart used in the identification of the colors is that of the Royal 
Horticultural Society (R.H.S. Colour Chart). The terminology which 
precedes reference to the chart has been added to indicate the 
corresponding color in more common terms. the desciption is based on two 
year old specimens of the new variety during September while budded on 
Rosa froebelii understock and growing outdoors at Le Cannet des Maures, 
Var, France. 
Class: Floribunda. 
Plant: 
Height.--Plants commonly achieve a height of approximately 70 to 90 cm. at 
the end of the growing season. In view of the Floribunda classification 
floral stem lengths typically are not measured; however, such stem lengths 
commonly are believed to be less than about 45 cm. 
Habit.--Bushy. 
Branches: 
Color.--Young stems: light green, Green Group 143C and tinged with reddish 
coloration. Adult wood: medium green, Green Group 137D. 
Thorns.--Size: medium. Quantity: average. Color: greenish on young stems, 
and reddish on mature wood. 
Leaves: 
Stipules.--Adnate, pectinate, very large and linear. 
Petioles.--Upper surface: striped reddish on young foliage and medium green 
on adult foliage with more or less glandular edges. Under surface: rarely 
exhibit small prickles. 
Leaflets.--Number: 3, 5, and 7. Shape: oval. Serration: single and regular. 
Texture: coriaceous. General appearance: dense, glossy, dark green, and 
very ornamental. Color (young foliage): upper surface: light green, Green 
Group 143A, and more or less edged and suffused with reddish coloration. 
under surface: light green, Yellow-Green Group 144A and widely suffused 
with reddish coloration. Color (adult foliage): upper surface: medium 
green, Green Group 137A. under surface: light green, Green Group 137D. 
Inflorescence: 
Number of flowers.--Commonly approximately 6 to 15 flowers per stem. The 
flower productivity is good and generally corresponds to that of a better 
flowering Floribunda variety. 
Peduncle.--Light green with some reddish coloration, more or less glandular 
with some small prickles or hairs, and approximately 5 to 6 cm. in length 
on average. 
Sepals.--Upper surface: tomentose, greenish with foliar extensions, and 
widely tinged with reddish coloration. Under surface: light green and more 
or less tinged with reddish coloration, and commonly possess extensions. 
Buds.--Shape: globular. Length: approximately 2.5 to 3 cm. on average. 
Size: large. Color upon opening: upper surface: Carmine Pink, Red Group 
52C at the margins, light Carmine Pink, Red Group 52D at the middle, and 
Empire Yellow, Yellow Group 11D at the base, with the external petals 
being somewhat lighter. under surface: Carmine Pink, Red Group 52C and 
suffused with light Carmine Pink, Red Group 52D at the middle. 
Flower.--Shape: cup-shaped in the middle and somewhat flat at the 
perimeter. Diameter: approximately 7 to 8 cm. on average. Color (when 
opening begins): upper surface: Carmine Pink, Red Group 52C at the 
margins, light Carmine Pink, Red Group 52D at the middle, and Empire 
Yellow, Yellow Group 11D at the base, with the external petals being 
somewhat lighter. under surface: Carmine Pink, Red Group 52C and suffused 
with light Carmine Pink, Red Group 52D at the middle. Color (when 
blooming): upper surface: Carmine Pink, Red Group 52C at the margins, 
light Carmine Pink, Red Group 52D at the middle, and Empire Yellow, Yellow 
Group 11D at the base, with the external petals being somewhat lighter. 
under surface: Carmine Pink, Red Group 52C and suffused with light Carmine 
Pink, Red Group 52D at the middle. Color (at end of opening): upper 
surface: Carmine Pink, Red Group 52C at the margins, light Carmine Pink, 
Red Group 52D at the middle, and Empire Yellow, Yellow Group 11D at the 
base, with the external petals being somewhat lighter. under surface: 
Carmine Pink, Red Group 52C and suffused with light Carmine Pink, Red 
Group 52D at the middle. Fragrance: medium, and reminiscent of green 
apple. Lasting quality: long. The blossoms commonly last 8 days or more on 
the plant and a lesser number of days when cut and placed in a vase. The 
lives of such blossoms are greatly influenced by the season of the year 
and the environmental conditions that are encountered. Petal drop: good 
with the petals becoming cleanly detached when fully mature. Petal form: 
rounded. Petal number: approximately 90 to 100 on average. Stamen number: 
approximately 15 to 20 on average. Anthers: ochre in coloration. 
Filaments: yellowish in coloration. Pistils: approximately 40 to 50 on 
average. Stigmas: ochre. Styles: greenish in coloration with a fuchsine 
tip. Receptacle: medium green, smooth, and in longiudinal section in the 
shape of a pitcher. Hips: round-shaped hips commonly are formed. 
Development: 
Vegetation.--Strong. 
Blooming.--Abundant. 
Resistance to diseases.--Good. 
Aptitude to be forced.--Good with a slight sensitivity to Marssonina.