Chrysanthemum plant named Dart

A Chrysanthemum plant named Dart particularly characterized by its flat capitulum form; spooned daisy capitulum type; red-purple ray floret color; diameter across face of capitulum of up to 12 cm at maturity; uniform nine week photoperiodic flowering response to short days; medium plant height when grown single stem; 15 to 25 cm peduncles on open, normally terminal sprays; and 13 degrees Celsius minimum temperature tolerance for initiation and development of flowering buds with a 12 to 13 hour continuous dark period.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of 
Chrysanthemum, botanically known as Chrysanthemum morifolium, Ramat., and 
referred to by the cultivar name Dart. 
Dart, identified as 80633002, was originated from a cross made in a 
controlled breeding program in Salinas, Calif., in 1980. 
The female parent of Dart, identified as 78546013, was an unnamed seedling. 
The male parent of Dart, identified as 77064005, was also an unnamed 
seedling. 
Dart was discovered and selected as one flowering plant within the progeny 
of the stated cross by William E. Duffett in September, 1981, in a 
controlled environment in Salinas, Calif. 
The first act of asexual reproduction of Dart was accomplished when 
vegetative cuttings were taken from the initial selection in November, 
1981, in a controlled environment in Salinas, Calif., by technicians 
working under formulations established and supervised by Cornelis P. 
VandenBerg. 
Horticultural examination of controlled flowerings of successive plantings 
has shown that the unique combination of characteristics as herein 
disclosed for Dart are firmly fixed and are retained through successive 
generations of asexual reproduction. 
Dart has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The 
phenotype may vary significantly with variations in environment such as 
temperature, light intensity and daylength. 
The following observations, measurements and comparisons describe plants 
grown in Salinas, Calif., and Leamington, Canada, under greenhouse 
conditions which approximate those generally used in commercial greenhouse 
practice. 
The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be 
basic characteristics of Dart, which, in combination, distinguish this 
Chrysanthemum as a new and distinct cultivar: 
1. Flat capitulum form. 
2. Spooned daisy capitulum type. 
3. Red-purple ray floret color. 
4. Diameter across face of capitulum up to 12 cm at maturity. 
5. Uniform nine week photoperiodic flowering response to short days. 
6. Peduncle length ranging from 15 to 25 cm. 
7. Medium plant height, requiring two long day weeks prior to short days to 
attain a flowered plant height of 100 to 110 cm for year-round flowerings. 
8. Low temperature tolerance of 13 degrees Celsius for initiation and 
development when grown in single stem cut spray programs with a continuous 
dark period of 12 to 13 hours.

The combination of capitulum type and floret color is not represented in 
comparable commercial cultivars known to the inventors. Capitulum form and 
type are similar to Futura, a yellow spooned daisy, disclosed in U.S. 
Plant Pat. No. 4,622. The diameter across face of capitulum of Dart is 
slightly larger than that of Futura, being 12 and 11 cm, respectively. 
Plant height and flowering response to short days of Dart is similar to 
those same characteristics of Blue Marble, unpatented. 
In the following description color references are made to The Royal 
Horticultural Society Colour Chart. The color values were determined on 
plant material grown in Salinas, Calif., on Oct. 17, 1986. 
Classification: 
Botanical.--Chrysanthemum morifolium, Ramat., cv. Dart. 
Commercial.--Spooned daisy cut spray mum. 
INFLORESCENCE 
A. Capitulum: 
Form.--Flat. 
Type.--Spooned daisy. 
Diameter across face.--Up to 12 cm at maturity. 
B. Corolla of ray florets: 
Color (general tonality from a distance of three meters).-- Red-purple. 
Color (upper surface, spoon tips).--70A. 
Color (under surface and tubes).--76C, slightly streaked with 78D. 
Shape.--Base tubular. Distal portion open, flattened and spoon like. 
C. Corolla of disc florets: 
Color (mature).--12B. 
Color (immature).--144B. 
D. Reproductive organs: 
Androecium.--Present on disc florets only; moderate pollen. 
Gynoecium.--Present on both ray and disc florets. 
PLANT 
A. General appearance: 
Height.--Medium; 100 to 110 cm as a flowering plant when grown single stem 
from a rooted cutting with two long day weeks for year-round flowerings 
maintaining a continuous dark period of 12 to 13 hours. 
B. Foliage: 
Color (upper surface).--147A. 
Color (under surface).--147B. 
Shape.--Deeply lobed, slightly serrated.