Patent Publication Number: US-PP23881-P2

Title: Sutera plant named ‘SBAWH03-2’

Description:
Latin name of the genus and species:  Sutera cordata.    
     Variety denomination: ‘SBAWH03-2’. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The new cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program. The new variety originated from a cross pollination of the seed parent, unpatented proprietary selection of  Sutera cordata  variety ‘X08.1.1’ with the pollen parent a, unpatented  Sutera cordata  variety ‘X08.1.3’. The crossing was made during January of 2008, at a research greenhouse in New South Wales Australia. ‘SBAWH03-2’ was discovered by the inventor, Graham Brown, a citizen of Australia, in New South Wales, at the research greenhouse during May of 2008. 
     Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘SBAWH03-2’ was first performed in New South Wales, Australia, at a research greenhouse by vegetative cuttings in May of 2008. ‘SBAWH03-2’ has since produced several generations and has shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The cultivar ‘SBAWH03-2’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype. 
     The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘SBAWH03-2’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘SBAWH03-2’ as a new and distinct  Sutera  cultivar:
         1. Trailing, compact plant habit.   2. Abundant flowering.   3. Very large flower.       

     PARENTAL COMPARISON 
     Plants of the new cultivar ‘SBAWH03-2’ are similar to the female parent in most horticultural characteristics. However, ‘SBAWH03-2’ differs in producing larger flowers. Additionally, the new variety shows better resistance to high temperatures. 
     Plants of the new cultivar ‘SBAWH03-2’ are similar to the male parent in most horticultural characteristics. However, ‘SBAWH03-2’ differs in having a moderately compact and trailing plant habit, whereas the pollen has a distinctively compact plant habit. 
     COMMERCIAL COMPARISON 
     ‘SBAWH03-2’ can be compared to the commercial variety  Sutera cordata  ‘Dancop20’ U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,350. Plants of ‘Dancop20’ are similar to plants of ‘SBAWH03-2’ in most horticultural characteristics, however, ‘SBAWH03-2’ produces a larger flower, and more flowers. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH 
       The accompanying photograph in  FIG. 1  illustrates in full color a typical plant of ‘SBAWH03-2’ grown outdoors in Oxnard, Calif. This plant is approximately 2 months old, shown in a 6 inch pot. The photograph was taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION 
     In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultral Colour Chart, 2001, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘SBAWH03-2’ plants in a commercial greenhouse in Oxnard, Calif. Temperatures ranged from 10° C. to 29° C. night and day. Plants are approximately 3 months old from a rooted cutting. No artificial light, photoperiodic treatments or chemical treatments were given to the plants. Natural light conditions were approximately 2500 to 4000 fc of light. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types.
     Botanical classification:  Sutera cordata  ‘SBAWH03-2’.   

     PROPAGATION 
     
         
         Propagation method: Vegetative Cuttings. 
         Time to initiate roots: About 7 to 10 days at 20° C. 
         Root description: Very fine, fibrous. Colored near Yellow-White 158C. 
       
    
     PLANT 
     
         
         Pot size of plant described: 6 inch. 
         Height: Approximately 12.5 cm. 
         Plant spread: 45 cm. 
         Growth rate: Rapid. 
         Branching characteristics: Very free branching. 
         Length of primary lateral branches: 15 cm. 
         Diameter of lateral branches: 0.3 cm. 
         Quantity of primary lateral branches: Approximately 150. 
         Characteristics of primary lateral branches:
             Form .—Round.     Color .—Near RHS Green 137A.     Texture .—Densely pubescent.     Strength .—Moderately strong, very flexible.       
     
         Internode length: Average 2.3 cm. 
       
    
     FOLIAGE 
     
         
         Leaf:
             Arrangement .—Opposite.     Quantity .—Approximately 14 per branch.     Average length.— 2.8 cm.     Average width.— 2.5 cm.     Shape of blade .—Orbicular.     Apex .—Rounded, with serrations.     Base .—Cuneate.     Margin .—Serate.     Texture of top surface .—Glabrous.     Texture of bottom surface .—Glabrous.     Aspect .—Slight downward curve.     Color .—Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 137A. Young foliage under side: Near RHS Green 137B. Mature foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 137A. Mature foliage under side: Near RHS Green 137B.     Venation .—Type: Pinnate. Venation color upper side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 144B. Venation color under side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 144B.     Petiole .—Length: Average 0.8 cm. Diameter: 0.2 cm. Color: Near RHS Yellow-Green 144B. Texture: Pubescent.       
     
       
    
     FLOWER 
     
         
         Natural flowering season: Spring through Summer. 
         Days to flowering from rooted cutting: Approximately 40 days. 
         Inflorescence and flower type and habit: Single rotate flowers emerging from leaf axils. 
         Flower longevity on plant: Approximately 1 week. 
         Persistent or self-cleaning: Self-cleaning. 
         Bud:
             Shape .—Elongated, irregular sphere.     Length.— 1.0 cm.     Diameter.— 0.6 cm.     Color .—Near RHS Yellow-Green 145D.       
     
         Flower size:
             Diameter.— 2.5 cm.     Length.— 1.5 cm.     Corolla tube diameter.— 0.5 cm.       
     
         Corolla/petals:
             Arrangement .—Rotate.     Petal quantity.— 5.     Lobe length.— 1.0 cm.     Lobe width.— 1.1 cm.     Texture .—Glabrous all surfaces.     Lobe apex .—Obtuse.     Lobe shape .—Orbicular.     Margin .—Entire.     Aspect .—Flat.     Tube length.— 1.2 cm.     Tube texture .—Exterior glabrous, interior pubescent.     Color .—When opening: Upper surface: Near RHS White 155D. Lower surface: Near RHS White 155D. Fully opened: Upper surface: Near RHS White 155D. Lower surface: Near RHS White 155D. Outer Corolla tube color: Near RHS White 155D. Inner Corolla tube color: Near RHS Orange 24A.       
     
         Calyx/sepals:
             Quantity per flower.— 5.     Shape .—Linear.     Length.— 0.7 cm.     Width.— 0.2 cm.     Apex .—Acute.     Base .—Fused.     Margin .—Entire.     Texture .—Lower surface: Very slightly pubescent. Upper surface: Pubescent.     Color .—Upper Surface: Near RHS Green 137B. Lower Surface: Near RHS Green 137B.       
     
         Peduncle:
             Length .—Approximately 0.7 cm.     Diameter .—Approximately 0.1 cm.     Color .—Near RHS Green 138A.     Orientation .—Approximately 75 degree angle from leaf axil.     Pubescence .—Pubescent.       
     
         Fragrance: None. 
       
    
     REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS 
     
         
         Stamens:
             Number.— 4.     Filament length .—Approximately 0.6 cm.       
     
         Anthers:
             Shape .—Globular.     Length .—Approximately 0.1 cm.     Color .—Near RHS Greyed-Orange 163C.     Pollen .—Color: Near RHS Orange 24B. Quantity: Abundant.       
     
         Pistil:
             Number.— 1.     Length .—Approximately 1.3 cm.     Style .—Length: 1.2 cm. Color: Near RHS Green-Yellow 1D.     Stigma .—Shape: Linear. Color: Near RHS Green-Yellow 1B. Ovary Color: RHS Green 143B.       
     
       
    
     OTHER CHARACTERISTICS 
     
         
         Seeds and fruits: Not observed to date. 
         Disease/pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to normal diseases and pests of  Sutera  has been observed. 
         Temperature tolerance: Tolerates temperatures from approximately 2° C. to 32° C. 
         Drought tolerance: No tolerance for drought.