Chrysanthemum plant named ‘CIFZ0003’

A new Chrysanthemum plant named ‘CIFZ0003’ particularly distinguished by the small red-purple decorative inflorescences, medium green foliage, medium ball-shaped plant habit, and a natural flowering season response of late September.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed:Chrysanthemum×morifolium.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a newChrysanthemum, botanically known asChrysanthemum×morifolium, and hereinafter referred to by the variety name ‘CIFZ0003’.

‘CIFZ0003’ is a product of a planned breeding program. The new cultivar has small red-purple decorative inflorescences, medium green foliage, medium ball-shaped plant habit, and a natural flowering season response of late September.

‘CIFZ0003’ originates as a natural whole plant mutation of an unpatented plant designated ‘05-M166’. ‘CIFZ0003’ was discovered and selected by the inventor as a single flowering plant within a large population of the parent cultivar, grown massed in pots outdoors in a controlled breeding program in Alva, Fla. in April 2008. The parent cultivar ‘05-M166’ has a purple inflorescence color and a natural flowering season response that is a few days slower than ‘CIFZ0003’.

The first act of asexual reproduction of ‘CIFZ0003’ was accomplished when vegetative cuttings were propagated from the initial selection in May 2008 in a greenhouse in Alva, Fla.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Horticultural examination of plants grown from cuttings of the plant initiated in May 2008, and continuing thereafter, has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for ‘CIFZ0003’ are firmly fixed and are retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

Plant Breeder's Rights for this cultivar were applied for in Canada on Feb. 24, 2011, No. 11-7177 and at Community Plant Variety Office on Mar. 30, 2011, No. 2011/0788. ‘CIFZ0003’ has not been made publicly available more than one year prior to the filing of this application.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be basic characteristics of the new variety. The combination of these characteristics distinguishes thisChrysanthemumas a new and distinct variety.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The plant descriptions, measurements and aforementioned photograph were taken outdoors in Gilroy, Calif. in early November 2011. These plants were grown outdoors in gallon pots and were approximately 12 weeks of age.