African violet plant

An African violet named South Carolina, particularly characterized by its vigorous growth habit; intensive green leaves; strong upright flower stems; large star-shaped white flowers, with wavy petal edges, and by its floriferous corolla, which is positioned well above the leaves.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of African 
violet plant, botanically known as Saintpaulia ionantha, and hereinafter 
referred to by the cultivar name South Carolina. 
The new cultivar was referred to during the breeding and selection process 
by the designation E 10/3, and is a product of a planned breeding program. 
The basic objective of the breeding program was to create a new African 
violet cultivar having pure white, non-dropping flowers star-shaped in 
form. 
The new cultivar was originated from a cross made in a controlled breeding 
program in Isselburg, West Germany. The female, or seed parent was a 
cultivar designated b. 322/1, a white, slightly semi-double variety. The 
male, or pollen parent was a cultivar designated b. 288/11 white star. 
The new cultivar South Carolina was discovered and selected by me as a 
flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlled 
environment in Isselburg, West Germany. Asexual reproduction of the new 
cultivar by leaf cuttings, as performed by me at Isselburg, West Germany, 
has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein 
disclosed for the new cultivar are firmly fixed and are retained through 
successive generations of asexual reproduction. 
South Carolina 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 values describe the new cultivar 
as grown in Isselburg, West Germany, under greenhouse conditions which 
closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice. 
The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be 
basic characteristics of South Carolina, which in combination distinguish 
this African violet as a new and distinct cultivar: 
1. Very vigorous growth habit. 
2. Intensive green, shiny leaves. 
3. Strong upright flower stems, 5-7 in number, each carrying 8-12 flowers. 
4. Large star-shaped flowers, pure white in color with occasional pink 
shading. 
5. Slightly wavy petal edges. 
6. The corolla is centrally positioned well above the foliage, with the 
flowers being long lasting and non-dropping. 
The new cultivar is similar in certain respects to Maine, disclosed in U.S. 
Plant Pat. No. 4,350. South Carolina is principally distinguished from 
Maine by its more floriferous habit, its raised corolla, larger, 
relatively more intense green leaves, and by its absence of violet-blue at 
the centers of the flowers.

In the following description, color references are made to the 
Horticultural Colour Chart (HCC) issued by Wilson Colour Ltd., and Royal 
Horticultural Color Chart (RHS), except where general colors of ordinary 
significance are referred to. Color values were taken under natural light 
conditions approximately mid-day in Isselburg, West Germany. 
Botanical classification: Saintpaulia ionantha, Ramat. cv. South Carolina. 
Parentage: 
Male parent.--b. 288/11 white star. 
Female parent.--b. 322/1 white, slightly semi-double. 
Propagation: The new cultivar holds its distinguishing characteristics 
through successive propagations by leaf cuttings. 
Plant: From 10 cm. to 13 cm. tall when grown in pots, and approximately 
27-35 cm. in diameter when fully grown. 
Leaves: 
General form.--Heart-shaped. 
Diameter.--70-80 mm. 
Texture.--Firm, leathery, hairy. 
Aspect.--Shiny. 
Veins.--Upperside visible; underside well-pronounced, light green, shiny, 
slightly hairy. 
Color (upperside).--HCC Spinach green 0960. 
Color (underside).--HCC Lavender green 000761/3. 
Petiole.--HCC Pod green 061/1. 
Flowers: 
Buds.--Bell-shaped, 9-11 mm. just before opening; 8-12 per stem. 
Sepals.--Number varies; normally 5, occasionally 4 or 6. Color: Pod green 
061. Calyx: Flat, funnel-shaped. Aspect: Spear-shaped. Peduncle: Peduncle 
of mature terminal flower bends down. 
Individual flowers: 
Size.--Between 40-45 mm. in diameter. 
Color.--Upperside: RHS 155D, crystal-like; center slightly greenish; 
occasional pink shade on part of petal; right after opening young flower 
seems greenish-white. Underside: RHS 155D. 
Borne.--Flower stem carries 7-12 flowers on short, strong peduncles; 
peduncle of mature terminal flower bends down. 
Shape.--Star-shaped; 5-7 same size petals. 
Flowering time.--6-7 weeks after parting first flowers appear; 8-10 weeks 
to full flowering saleable plant. 
Reproductive organs: 
Anthers.--5-6, composed of 10-12 cells, with seed capsule pushed slightly 
through; color Aurenlin/3. 
Filaments.--4 mm. long; light green. 
Styles.--7 mm.; light purple, base of ovary light green hairy. 
Pollen color.--HCC Dresden yellow 64/2. 
Roots: Well developed, white when young and active; brownish when older; 
strong main roots. 
Disease resistance: Good as experienced to date. 
General observations: South Carolina is a very vigorous grower with lush 
green and firm yet flexible leaves. The corolla stands well above the 
foliage. The large long-lasting, non-dropping star-shaped blossoms are 
supported by strong, wire-like stems.