A new Alstroemeria variety characterized by the distinctive pink coloration of its blossoms, the petals of which are covered with longitudinal flecks or streaks of a darker shade of pink, white striped margins and a light yellow striped heart. The plant is late in flowering with relatively thick flower stems.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT 
This new Alstroemeria originated as a seedling selected from individual 
members of breeding stock maintained at Rijnsburg, Holland. The particular 
seedling was selected by me in 1980 for propagation and testing because of 
the distinctive coloration of its blossoms produced on upright compact 
stems. Specifically, the outer and inner petals have pink central areas, 
white marginal areas and light yellow striped hearts. Both the inner and 
outer petals have well defined longitudinal streaks or flecks of dark 
pink, such streaks of the outer petals being generally limited to their 
lateral marginal areas. The selected plant was propagated by me at 
Rijnsburg, Holland through several generations of root divisions to 
establish that its distinctive characteristics hold true from generation 
to generation and appear to be firmly fixed. 
Breeding efforts commenced in 1978 and propagation is currently being 
carried out at Rijnsburg, Holland. The nearest variety is the Alstroemeria 
called Lione and my new variety, Elsbeth, differs from the Lione variety 
in that (1) the petals have a darker pink coloration, (2) the flowers are 
smaller, (3) the plant is later flowering, (4) the flower stems are 
thicker and (5) the leavers are shorter and rounder.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT 
The following is a detailed description of my new Alstroemeria plant with 
color designations according to The National Bureau of Standards, Standard 
Reference Material, #2107, comprising the ISCC-NBS Centroid Color Charts 
and NBS Special Publication, #440. 
THE PLANT 
Origin: Seedling. 
Parentage: Seed parent. 
Classification: Alstroemeria hybrid. 
Form: A generally erect bush having an upright stalk with flower-bearing 
branches in simple umbel arrangement at its top. 
Height: About 1.1 meters. 
Growth: Upright and vigorous. 
Root stock: Tuberous. 
Foliage: 
Quantity.--Abundant. 
Number of leaves.--About 20-25 per stem. 
Size of leaf.--About 11.0.times.2.0 cm. 
Shape of leaf.--Parallel venation. 
Texture.--Smooth. 
Color.--Upper side: Dark green. Under side: Dark green. 
THE BUD 
Form: Long, pear shaped. 
Size: Large. 
Diameter.--About 1.2 cm. 
Length.--About 3.5 cm. 
Peduncle: 
Length.--About 12 cm. 
Texture.--Smooth. 
Form.--Erect. 
THE FLOWER 
Blooming habit: Profusely during late season in Spring. 
Flower size: Medium. 
Diameter.--About 4.5 cm. 
Depth.--About 5.5 cm. 
Borne: Terminal clusters. 
Shape: Generally cup shaped with petals tips curling outwardly. 
Petalage: 
Number of petals.--Six. 
Arrangement.--Two concentric circles of three. 
Form.--Broad oval. 
Texture.--Soft. 
Appearance.--Velvety. 
Color: 
Outer petals.--Light grayish purple (No. 258) with light pink (No. 252) 
margins and green pigmentations at the petal tips. 
Inside petals.--Light pink (No. 252) with white (No. 263) margins and a 
light yellow (No. 86) heart. All petals have numerous generally 
longitudinal stripes or flecks of deep purple (No. 260). p0 Persistence: 
The flowers hang on and dry. 
Main stem or stalk: 
Length.--About 12 cm. 
Color.--Green. 
Character.--Strong and upright. 
Lasting quality of flower: About three weeks. As a cut flower, about 10-14 
days. 
REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS 
Stamens: 
Number.--Six. 
Arrangement.--One opposite each petal. 
Anthers: 
Size.--About 6 cm.times.0.2 cm. 
Color.--Yellowish green (No. 120). 
Filaments: 
Length.--About 2.8 cm. 
Color.--Pink (No. 250). 
Pollen.--Brownish gray. 
Pistils: 
Number.--One. 
Styles.--Length: About 2.8-3.2 cm. Color: Light pink. 
Fruit: 
Shape.--Round. 
Color.--Light brown. 
This plant is particularly noted for the distinctive coloration of its 
flowers, which coloration does not clearly resemble that of any other 
Alstroemeria plant previously known to me. The deepish reddish brown 
flecks on the light grayish purple (central) and white (margins) 
background with the strong yellow striped heart make this plant an 
attractive addition to the Alstroemeria family.