Abstract:
A new and distinct double-flowered ‘ Impatiens walleriana’  plant named ‘TiCoPur’, producing bright purple flowers; dark green foliage; compact growth habit; fully double flowers held above or beyond the foliage on strong peduncles and pedicels; and a compact mounded growth habit.

Description:
LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES AND VARIETY DENOMINATION  
         [0001]    ‘ Impatiens walleriana’  plant and known by the cultivar name ‘TiCoPur’.  
         BACKGROUND—FIELD OF INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar botanically known as ‘ Impatiens walleriana’  and by the cultivar name ‘TiCoPur’, which is shown in the photograph accompanying this specification.  
           [0003]    The cultivar was developed and selected in a controlled breeding program in a controlled environment in Broadbent, Oreg. by the inventors, Harlan Cosner and Sue Cosner, as described herein. The plants may be used in landscaping, window, and hanging baskets and flower gardens. The plants are generally classed as an annual bedding plant.  
         BACKGROUND—DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART  
         [0004]    ‘TiCoPur’ is compared with ‘ Impatiens walleriana’  named ‘Deep Purple,’ subject of U.S. Plant Pat. No. 11,426.  
         COMPARISON  
         [0005]    The impatiens plant of the present invention differs from prior plants, namely  
           [0006]    ‘Deep Purple’ in at least the following ways:  
           [0007]    1. The flower color of ‘TiCoPur’ is lighter than that of ‘Deep Purple’.  
           [0008]    2. The plant of ‘Deep Purple’ is much larger than plant of ‘TiCoPur’.  
           [0009]    3. See accompanying comparison chart.  
           [0010]    These and other distinguishing characteristics will be apparent to persons skilled in the art.  
         BACKGROUND—DISCOVERY and PARENTAGE  
         [0011]    The present cultivar was developed by standard cross-pollination. The pollen producing parent was an unpatented double-flowered ‘ Impatiens walleriana’  designated M-BR-9, and the seed producing parent was an unpatented semi-double-flowered impatiens designated P-BR-17A. The seed parent&#39;s flower color was purple, and the pollen parent&#39;s flower color was hot pink.  
           [0012]    The cross was made in the breeders&#39; controlled breeding program at Broadbent, Oreg. The first asexual reproduction was also made at Broadbent, Oreg. Successive asexual generations produced from cuttings with two or more leaves have shown the cultivar to be stable.  
           [0013]    The cultivar is unique either in one or a combination of the characteristics described herein. It is a new double-flowered ‘ impatiens walleriana’  producing bright purple flowers; dark green foliage; compact growth habit; fully double flowers held above or beyond the foliage on strong peduncles and pedicels; and a compact mounded growth habit.  
           [0014]    Color references are according to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.  
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0015]    The following description relates to the following environmental and cultural practices at Rogue River, Oreg., and was taken on or about Mar. 1, 2003. The photograph illustrates the overall appearance of the cultivar described herein. The photograph was taken of a ‘TiCoPur’ plant of about 10 weeks of age from rooted cuttings, at first inflorescence. There may be variations between the colors in the photograph and the colors in the following description due to light reflectance, or the amount of blue or red light captured in the film. If such variations occur, the written description shall control.  
         [0016]    The plant of the present invention has not been observed in all possible environmental and/or cultural conditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations in environment such as temperature, light level, humidity and also with cultural practices such as fertility, soil, and water quality.  
         [0017]    [0017] Container.— 6-inch Azalea containers.  
         [0018]    [0018] Medium.— Peat-lite type of soil less medium.  
         [0019]    [0019] Greenhouse covering.— Double layer Polyethylene with 50% shade applied above the covering.  
         [0020]    [0020] Minimum temperature.— 70° F.  
         [0021]    [0021] Maximum temperature.— 75° F.  
         [0022]    [0022] Light levels.— 1000 to 1500 ft candles.  
         [0023]    [0023] Fertilizer.— 20-10-20 with trace elements applied twice followed by one leaching with clear water.  
         [0024]    [0024] Cutting type.— Lateral stems with two or more leaves.  
         [0025]    Propagation:  
         [0026]    [0026] Type of cutting.— Lateral stems with two or more leaves were used for asexual reproduction.  
         [0027]    [0027] Time to initiate roots.— generally about 7 to 10 days at soil temperature of 72° F.  
         [0028]    Appearance and form of mature plant:  
         [0029]    [0029] Plant form and habit.— Mounded and of medium vigor.  
         [0030]    [0030] Plant size.— Plants mature at about 16 cm. in height and about 30 cm. in width. Both of these measurements are a function of age, environmental and cultural practices, and can vary accordingly.  
         [0031]    [0031] Rooting description.— The roots are fibrous and well-branched.  
         [0032]    [0032] Rooting ability.— Easy, no hormones needed.  
         [0033]    [0033] Branching habit.— Plants are self-branching. Stems are strong and freely produced. The number of stems depends upon cultural practices, age of stems used as cuttings and the number of growth buds present on the cutting when stuck.  
         [0034]    [0034] Stems.— Stems are freely produced and no pinching to induce branching is needed. Color is between 146A and 146B with tiny dark markings of a very hard to determine color that appears to be close to 183B. The stems at maturity are generally at least 3 mm in diameter at the internodes, and the internode length is generally at least 0.5 cm in length.  
         [0035]    [0035] Foliage shape and size.— Shape is ovate with cuneate to attenuate base; crenate margin, margin having tiny spines of an undeterminable reddish to brownish red color and each being less than 0.1 mm in length and protruding outwards in a perpendicular direction from leaf edge and parallel to the flat surfaces of the leaf margin between the lobes of the crenate margin; and an acuminate apex. Size of largest is about 5 cm long; about 4 cm wide.  
         [0036]    [0036] Foliage color.— Adaxial surface close to 147A; abaxial surface close to 147C; abaxial surface venation is close to 146A; Adaxial surface venation, main vein at base is closest to 146A, lateral veins are barely distinguishable but appear closest to 146A.  
         [0037]    [0037] Foliage texture.— Smooth and flat.  
         [0038]    [0038] Petioles.— Longest petioles are about 3.5 cm long, half round, flat to slightly convex on upper surface which is about 4 mm wide, depth (from the upper surface to the bottom surface) of about 2.5 mm. Adaxial surface color appears to be 146B; abaxial surface color appears to be close to 146C.  
         [0039]    [0039] Natural flowering season.— Year around in greenhouse conditions, and the frost-free period from spring through fall when planted outdoors. Flowers are produced continuously throughout the flowering season.  
         [0040]    [0040] Bud size, shape  &amp;  color.— The buds prior to opening are about 1 cm. in length; about 0.75 cm. in diameter; shape is ovate. Bud color prior to opening is close to 145A on top and close to 149D on bottom.  
         [0041]    [0041] Time to flower. Flowering begins at about  10 weeks form rooted cuttings.  
         [0042]    [0042] Duration of flower.— Each flower generally lasts about 5 days at 75° F. maximum and 70° F. minimum temperature.  
         [0043]    [0043] Flowers borne.— Above or beyond the foliage.  
         [0044]    [0044] Flower count.— Usually two or more open flowers per stem and generally 15 or more from visible buds to fully mature flowers.  
         [0045]    [0045] Flower texture.— Smooth and satiny.  
         [0046]    [0046] Flower fragrance.— None detected.  
         [0047]    [0047] Flower color petals/petaloids.— Adaxial surface is close to 74A with a basal spot close to 67A. Abaxial surface is close to 74D with a basal spot close to 67A.  
         [0048]    [0048] Flower size and shape.— Generally, at least 3.5 cm wide; generally at least 1 cm deep. The above measurements refer to the larger flowers, and the flower size was taken during winter low light when the flowers are the smallest. During spring and summer, the flowers are generally much larger than the above measurements and as much as double the described size.  
         [0049]    [0049] Petal size and shape.— Generally, at least 3.5 cm wide; generally at least 1 cm deep. The largest petals are generally at least 1.5 cm. wide and at least 1.5 cm. deep; obovate to exaggerated obovate in shape with obtuse to retuse apex, entire margin, and cuneate to obtuse base. The above measurements refer to the average flowers; and the flower size was taken during winter low light when the flowers are the smallest, during spring and summer, the flowers are generally much larger than the above measurements.  
         [0050]    [0050] Petal/Petaloid count.— 25 or more.  
         [0051]    [0051] Calyx.— Calyx consists of generally one sepal and one spur. The spur is generally at least 2 cm long, and about 2 mm in diameter at sepal end; shape is an acicular tapering tube about 1 mm in diameter at the apex, and it is attached toward the base of the sepal in a peltate manner. Color is close to 145A at apex, 67A at base, and a purple tinged green not matching or close to any color in the chart. The sepal generally measures about 1 cm wide, and about 1.25 cm long; ovate in shape with an acute apex, entire margin, and obtuse to cordate base; adaxial surface is close to 149 D with a spot around where the spur connects close to 67A; the abaxial surface is close to 145D with a spot where the spur attaches close to 67A.  
         [0052]    [0052] Peduncles.— Generally about 2.5 cm long; about 2 mm in diameter; colored close to 144A. Good strength.  
         [0053]    [0053] Pedicels.— Generally two or more per peduncle. Each is generally at least 2.25 cm in length, and at least 1.5 mm in diameter. Color is close to 144A. Good strength.  
         [0054]    [0054] Reproductive organs.— The reproductive organs are replaced with sterile petaloids.  
         [0055]    [0055] Disease resistance.— Disease resistance has not been tested.  
         [0056]    [0056] Dampness resistance.— The plant has shown a good ability to hold the flowers in an outward manner during summer rains.  
         [0057]    [0057] Cold/heat resistance.— Plant flowers well in summer heat.  
       COMPARISON CHART TO PRIOR ART  
       [0058]    [0058]                                                                 ‘TiCoPur’   ‘Deep Purple’                                    Stems-color   Color is between 146A and   Close to 146B with 187B           146B with tiny markings   markings           close to 183B           Foliage-Size   about 5 cm long; about 4   About 5 cm long; about 3.5       Abaxial   cm wide   cm wide       color   close to 147C   147B with reddish blotches               close to 183D       Foliage-   close to 146A   Close to 148A       Abaxial       venation       color               Foliage-   close to 147A   147A       Adaxial       color       Foliage-   main vein at base is closest   148A       Adaxial   to 146A, lateral veins           venation   appear closest to 146A           color       Petiole-Size   about 3.5 cm long, 4 mm   About 4.25 cm long and       Adaxial   wide, depth of about 2.5   About 3 mm diameter       color   mm. appears to be 146B;   Close to 148A with 187B               markings at node end       Petiole   appears close to 146C   Same as adaxial color       Abaxial       color       Largest   generally at least 1.5 cm.   About 2.25 cm in length,       Petal/   wide and at least 1.5 cm.   about 2.5 cm in width       Petaloid-Size   deep close to 74D with a   71D, some have markings       Abaxial   basal spot close to 67A   lighter than 69D and lighter       color       than 157D       Petal/   Close to 74A with a basal   Between 74A and 74B       Petaloid   spot close to 67A.           Adaxial       color       Peduncle-   about 2.5 cm long; about 2   About 3.5 cm long, about       Size   mm in diameter;   2 mm in diameter       color   close to 144A.   146B to 146C with reddish               stripes       Pedicel-Size   generally at least 2.25 cm   About 2.5 cm in length,       color   in length, and at least 1.5   between 1 and 2 mm.           mm in diameter.   146B to 146C with tiny           close to 144A.   reddish spots                       Sepal -Size   generally measures about   About 1 cm wide and about       Adaxial   1 cm wide, and about 1.25   1 cm wide.       color   cm long   Close to 149D with a spot           close to 149D with a spot   close to 74C to 74D           around where the spur               connects close to 67A;           Sepal   close to 145D with a spot   Close to 149D with a spot       Abaxial   where the spur attaches   of 73B       color   close to 67A           Spur-Size   generally at least 2 cm   About 3 cm       color   long, and about 2 mm in   Close to 146D with tinges           diameter at sepal end; and   of red close to 178B at           about 1 mm at apex   apex           close to 145A at apex, 67A               at base, and a purple tinged               green not matching or close               to any color in the chart           Buds-Size   about 1 cm. in length; about   About 1 cm long, about 0.7       Color   .75 cm. in diameter   cm diameter           close to 145A on top and   145B to 145C           close to 149D on bottom.                    
       COLOR CODE CHART  
       [0059]    Stems: 146A, 146B, 183B  
         [0060]    Foliage Abaxial surface: 147C  
         [0061]    Foliage Abaxial surface venation: 146A  
         [0062]    Foliage Adaxial surface: 147A  
         [0063]    Foliage Adaxial surface venation: 146A  
         [0064]    Petiole Abaxial surface: 146C  
         [0065]    Petiole Adaxial surface: 146B  
         [0066]    Petals/Petaloids Abaxial surface: 74A, 67A  
         [0067]    Petals/Petaloids Adaxial surface: 74A, 67A  
         [0068]    Buds: 145A,149D  
         [0069]    Peduncles: 144A  
         [0070]    Pedicels: 144A  
         [0071]    Sepals adaxial surface: 149D, 67A  
         [0072]    Sepals abaxial surface: 145D, 67A  
         [0073]    Spur: 145A, 67A