Patent Publication Number: US-PP27046-P2

Title: Petunia plant named ‘KLEPH14248’

Description:
Genus and species:  Petunia hybrida.    
     Variety denomination: ‘KLEPH14248’. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT 
     The present invention comprises a new and distinct variety of  petunia , botanically known as  Petunia hybrida  and hereinafter referred to by the variety name ‘KLEPH14248’. ‘KLEPH14248’ is a selection from a cross-pollination of the female  petunia  line ‘PH-2009-1404’, also known as ‘KLEPH12216’ (unpatented) and the male petunia line SUN SPUN® Red or ‘Balspunred’ (patent status unknown). 
     In July of 2010, the proprietary female  petunia  line ‘PH-2009-1404’ and the proprietary male  petunia  line ‘Balspunred’ were cross pollinated in Latina, Italy and seeds were obtained. The seeds were sown and plants were grown for evaluation. A plant line was selected in April 2011 in Latina, Italy and named ‘KLEPH14248’. In April 2011, ‘KLEPH 14248’ was first vegetatively propagated by terminal tip cuttings in Latina, Italy. ‘KLEPH14248’ was found to reproduce true to type in successive generations of asexual propagation via tissue culture and terminal tip cuttings. 
     SUMMARY 
     The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new variety when grown under normal horticultural practices in Latina, Italy.
         1. Dark red flower color; and   2. A mounding plant habit.       

    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS 
       This new  petunia  plant is illustrated by the accompanying photograph, which shows a close-up of a mature flower. The plant is about 3 months-old grown in Stuttgart, Germany in May 2013. 
       The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY 
     The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘KLEPH14248’. The data which define these characteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out in Latina, Italy. Data was collected on twelve-week-old plants grown indoors in Latina, Italy under greenhouse conditions in February 2015. Color references are to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.), 5 th  edition (2007).
     Classification:
             Family .—Solanaceae.     Species.—Petunia hybrida.        Common name.—Petunia.        Variety .—‘KLEPH14248’.       
       Parentage:
             Female.—Petunia  line ‘PH-2009-1404’.     Male .—Commercial  petunia  line SUN SPUN® Red also known as ‘Balspunred’.       
       Plant:
             Form .—Medium growing.     Habit .—Mounding.     Height  ( from top of soil ).—About 7.0 cm.     Width  ( horizontal plant diameter ).—About 17.0 cm.     Propagation .—Terminal tip cuttings.     Time to produce a finished flowering plant .—About 14 weeks in winter under short day conditions, 7 weeks in spring.     Time to initiate and develop roots.— 2 to 3 weeks.     Root description .—Moderate density, moderate branching, white roots.       
       Stems:
             Average number  ( basal ).—9.     Length of basal branches  ( from the base of the stem to the tip ).—6.5 cm.     Internode length.— 0.2 cm.     Diameter of branches  ( from midpoint ).—0.4 cm.     Stem color .—RHS 144C.     Anthocyanin .—Absent.     Texture .—Tomentose.       
       Leaves:
             Arrangement .—Alternate.     Length .—4.0 cm.     Width .—1.8 cm.     Shape .—Elliptic.     Apex .—Narrowly acuminate.     Base .—Attenuate.     Margin .—Entire.     Immature and mature leaf color .—Upper surface: RHS 137B. Lower surface: RHS 146B.     Texture .—Upper and lower surfaces: Tomentose.     Venation pattern .—Arcuate.     Venation color .—Upper surface: RHS 144A. Lower surface: RHS 144B.     Petioles .—Length: 0.7 cm to 1.0 cm. Diameter: 0.2 cm. Color: RHS 144D. Texture: Tomentose.       
       Flower bud:
             Shape .—Irregular oblong.     Length.— 5.5 cm.     Diameter.— 0.7 cm.     Color at tight bud .—RHS 59A and RHS 59B.     Texture .—Slightly pubescent.       
       Inflorescence:
             Blooming habit  ( flowering season ).—Permanent flowering during summertime.     Inflorescence type .—Cymose.     Number of flowers per node.— 1.     Lastingness of individual blooms on the plant.— 7 to 10 days.     Fragrance .—Absent.     Flowers .—Arrangement: Composed of 5 petals fused at the base. Shape: Diameter (flower face): 6.0 cm. Depth (total length of flower): 7.5 cm. Throat/Funnel: Length: 4.5 cm. Diameter (at opening): About 1.0 cm. Texture: Both inner and outer surfaces: Smooth, glabrous. Color, immature flower: Face/Margin: RHS 45B. Upper surface: RHS 45B. Lower surface: RHS 54A and RHS 54C. Color, mature flower: Face/Margin color: RHS 46B. Upper surface: RHS 46B. Lower surface: RHS 54A and RHS 54C.     Petals .—Apex: Mucronate. Base: Fused. Margin: Entire. Strength of waviness: Weak to medium. Degree of lobation: Low.     Calyx arrangement .—Actinomorphic, composed of 5 sepals.     Sepals .—Color: Upper surface: RHS 137A. Lower surface: RHS 146A. Length: 0.9 cm. Width: 0.2 cm. Shape: Linear. Apex: Acute. Base: Rounded. Margin: Entire. Texture: Upper and lower surfaces: Tomentose.     Pedicels .—Color: RHS 137D. Diameter: 0.5 cm. Texture: Tomentose.       
       Reproductive organs:
             Stamens .—Quantity: 5. Shape: Needle-like with elliptic head. Filament: Length: 1.2 cm to 1.8 cm. Diameter: 0.01 cm. Color: RHS 145D. Anther: Shape: Elliptic. Color: RHS 150D. Length: 0.25 cm. Diameter: 0.15 cm. Pollen: Color: RHS 10D.     Pistils .—Quantity per flower: 1. Stigma color: RHS 145A. Style color: RHS145B.       
       Fruit and seed set: No fruit and seed set observed.   Disease and pest/insect resistance: None observed.   

     COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL LINES AND KNOWN VARIETY 
     ‘KLEPH14248’ is a distinct variety of  petunia . ‘KLEPH14248’ is distinguished from its parents as described in Table 1: 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Comparison with Parental Lines 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Variety 
                 Female parent 
                 Male Parent 
               
               
                 Trait 
                 ‘KLEPH14248’ 
                 ‘PH-2009-1404’ 
                 ‘Balspunred’ 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Plant habit 
                 Mounding 
                 Semi trailing 
                   
               
               
                 Flower color 
                 Darker and more stable 
                   
                 Red 
               
               
                   
                 red than‘Balspunred’ 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     ‘KLEPH14248’ is most similar to the commercial  petunia  plant named SUN SPUN® Red also known as ‘Balspunred’ (patent status unknown). Differences between the two varieties are described in Table 2: 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Comparison with Similar Variety 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Variety 
                 Commercial line 
               
               
                 Trait 
                 ‘KLEPH14248’ 
                 ‘Balspunred’ 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Flower color 
                 Darker and more stable red than 
                 Red 
               
               
                   
                 ‘Balspunred’