Chrysanthemum plant name Hekla

A chrysanthemum plant named Hekla particularly characterized by its flat capitulum form; daisy capitulum type; white ray floret color; diameter across face of capitulum of up to 47 mm at maturity; medium plant height with spreading and prolific branching pattern; average natural season flower date of August 25 in Salinas, Calif. and September 20 in Hightstown, N.J.; uniform seven week photoperiodic flowering response to short days in photoperiodic controlled flowering programs; and durable, uniform performance in outside fall flowerings and in spring small pot flowering programs.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of 
chrysanthemum, botanically known a Dendranthema grandiflora, and referred 
to by the cultivar name Hekla. 
Hekla, identified as 85-094001, was originated from a cross made by the 
inventor, Cornelis P. VandenBerg, in a controlled breeding program in 
Salinas, Calif., in 1985. 
The female parent and the male parent of Hekla were both unnamed seedlings, 
identified respectively as 82-M49004 and 83-645001. Hekla was discovered 
and selected as one flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross 
by Cornelis P. VandenBerg in January 1986, in a controlled environment in 
Salinas, Calif. 
The first act of asexual reproduction of Hekla was accomplished when 
vegetative cuttings were taken from the initial selection in April 1986 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 Hekla are firmly fixed and are retained through successive 
generations of asexual reproduction. 
Hekla 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 a controlled open area in Salinas, Calif. and in Hightstown, N.J. 
Rooted cuttings were established in soil and maintained outdoors under the 
natural temperature and daylength prevailing during July through 
September. Single pinching was practiced with all branches and buds 
retained. 
The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be 
basic characteristics of Hekla, which, in combination, distinguish this 
chrysanthemum as a new and distinct cultivar: 
1. Flat capitulum form. 
2. Daisy capitulum type. 
3. White ray floret color. 
4. Diameter across face of capitulum up to 47 mm at maturity. 
5. Medium plant height. 
6. Spreading and prolific branching pattern. 
7. Average natural season flower date of August 25 in Salinas, Calif., and 
September 20 in Hightstown, N.J. 
8. Uniform seven week photoperiodic flowering response to short days in 
photoperiodic controlled flowering programs. 
9. Durable, uniform performance in outside fall flowerings and in spring 
small pot flowering programs.

Of the commercial cultivars known to the inventor, the most similar in 
comparison to Hekla is White Stardom, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 
3,999. Reference is made to attached Chart A, which compares certain 
characteristics of Hekla to the same characteristics of White Stardom. 
Similar traits are ray floret color, branching pattern, plant height and 
controlled flowering response. Hekla has a true daisy flower form, while 
White Stardom, with 4 to 5 rows of petals, can be described as a duplex 
daisy. Hekla has a smaller diameter of capitulum and an earlier natural 
season flower date than White Stardom. In the following description color 
references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart. The 
clear white ray floret color of Hekla is not represented in the R.H.S. 
Colour Chart. The color values were determined on plant material grown in 
a controlled greenhouse environment in Salinas, Calif. on May 20, 1988.