Chrysanthemum plant named Raya

A Chrysanthemum plant named Raya particularly characterized by its flat capitulum form; spoon daisy capitulum type; white ray floret color; diameter across face of capitulum of up to 13 cm at maturity when grown as a pinched disbudded pot mum; uniform eight week photoperiodic flowering response to short days; medium plant height when grown as a pinched pot mum; excellent tolerance to high and low temperatures; recommended as disbudded pot mum; and semi-spreading branching pattern.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of 
Chrysanthemum, botanically known as Chrysanthemum morifolium, Ramat., and 
referred to by the cultivar name Raya. 
Raya, identified as 79U42007, was originated from a cross made by William 
E. Duffett in a controlled breeding program in Salinas, Calif. in 1979. 
The female parent of Raya was the cultivar Quills, disclosed in U.S. Plant 
Pat. No. 4,401. The male parent of Raya was an unnamed seedling identified 
as 79#02995. 
Raya was discovered and selected as one flowering plant within the progeny 
of the stated cross by William E. Duffett in November of 1980, in a 
controlled environment in Salinas, Calif. 
The first act of asexual reproduction of Raya was accomplished when 
vegetative cuttings were taken from the initial selection in February of 
1981 in a controlled environment in Salinas, Calif., by technicians 
working under formulations established and supervised by William E. 
Duffett. 
Horticultural examination of controlled flowerings of successive plantings 
has shown that the unique combination of characteristics as herein 
disclosed for Raya are firmly fixed and are retained through successive 
generations of asexual reproduction. 
Raya 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 Raya, which, in combination, distinguish this 
Chrysanthemum as a new and distinct cultivar: 
1. Flat capitulum form. 
2. Spoon daisy capitulum type. 
3. White ray floret color. 
4. Diameter across face of capitulum up to 13 cm at maturity, when grown as 
a pinched disbudded pot mum. 
5. Uniform eight week photoperiodic flowering response to short days. 
6. Medium plant height requiring 0 to 7 long days after pinch prior to 
short days and 1 application of 2500 ppm B-9 SP to attain a flowered plant 
height of 25 to 35 cm for year-round flowerings when grown as a pinched 
pot mum. 
7. Excellent tolerance to high and low temperatures. 
8. Recommended as disbudded pot mum. 
9. Semi-spreading branching pattern.

Of the commercial cultivars known to the inventor, the most similar in 
comparison to Raya is Quills, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,401. 
Reference is made to attached Chart A, which compares certain 
characteristics of Raya to the same characteristics of Quills. 
Similar traits are ray floret color, capitulum form and type, and plant 
height. Raya has a more spreading branching pattern, a much larger 
diameter of capitulum, and a slower flowering response to short days than 
Quills. Raya is recommended as a disbud pot mum. Quills is recommended as 
a pot disbud and spray pot mum. 
In the following description, color references are made to the Royal 
Horticultural Society Colour Chart. The clear white color of the open 
spoon ends of the ray florets is not represented in the RHS Colour Chart. 
The color values were determined on plant material grown as a pinched 
disbudded pot mum in Salinas, Calif. on June 1, 1987. 
Classification: 
Botanical.--Chrysanthemum morifolium, Ramat., cv. Raya. 
Commercial.--Spoon daisy disbud pot mum. 
INFLORESCENCE 
A. Capitulum: 
Form.--Flat. 
Type.--Spoon daisy. 
Diameter across face.--Up to 13 cm at maturity. 
B. Corolla of ray florets: 
Color (general tonality from a distance of three meters).--White. 
Color (upper surface) (spoon tips).--White. 
Color (under surface) (tubes).--155A to 155B. 
Shape.--Base tubular. Distal portion open, flattened and spoon like. 
C. Corolla of disc florets: 
Color (mature).--Closest to 1A. 
Color (immature).--Closest to 144A to 144B. 
D. Reproductive organs: 
Androecium.--Present on disc florets only; no pollen. 
Gynoecium.--Present on both ray and disc florets. 
PLANT 
A. General Appearance: 
Height.--Medium; 25 to 35 cm as a pinched pot mum with 0 to 7 long days 
after pinch prior to short days and 1 application of 2500 ppm B-9 SP. 
Branching pattern.--Semi-spreading. 
B. Foliage: 
Color (upper surface).--147A to 147B. 
Color (under surface).--147B to 147C. 
Shape.--Lobed and slightly serrated. 
CHART A 
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Comparison of Raya and Quills 
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RAY 
FLORET CAPITULUM BRANCHING 
CULTIVAR COLOR FORM & TYPE PATTERN 
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Raya White Flat Semi-spreading 
Spoon Daisy 
Quills White Flat Semi-upright 
Spoon Daisy 
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DIAMETER 
ACROSS FLOWERING 
FACE OF PLANT RESPONSE 
CULTIVAR CAPITULUM HEIGHT PERIOD 
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Raya Up to 13 cm Medium 8 weeks 
Quills 65-100 mm Medium 7 weeks 
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CULTIVAR RECOMMENDED AS 
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Raya Disbud 
Quills Disbud and spray 
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COMISONS MADE OF PLANTS 
GROWN IN SALINAS, CALIFORNIA 
AND IN LEAMINGTON, ONTARIO, CANADA 
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