Patent Publication Number: US-6845-P

Title: African violet plant named Improved Florida

Description:
The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of African violet plant, botanically known as Saintpaulia ionantha, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name Improved Florida. 
     The new cultivar was referred to during the breeding and selection process by the designation I 13/72 and is a product of a planned breeding program. The basic objective of the breeding program was to create a new African violet cultivar improving certain characteristics of the cultivar Florida, disclosed in my U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,208 granted in 1978. The new cultivar was originated from a cross made by me in the controlled breeding program in Haffen, Federal Republic of Germany. The female, or seed parent was a cultivar designated B. The male, or pollen parent was a cultivar designated XIX 4158. 
     Improved Florida was discovered and selected by me as a flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment in Haffen, West Germany. Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by leaf cuttings, as performed by me at Haffen, West Germany, has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction. 
     Improved Florida has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity and day length. The following observations, measurements and values describe the new cultivar as grown in a 10 cm pot in Haffen, West Germany and Nashviulle, Tenn. under greenhouse conditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice. 
     The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be basic characteristics of Improved Florida, which in combination distinguish this African violet as a new and distinct cultivar: 
     (1) Strong, upright flower stems curving slightly toward the center. 
     (2) Single violet-shaped purplish pink flowers with slightly frilled edges. 
     (3) Each plant carries 7-8 and more upright flower stems each of which carries 6-8 and more flowers. 
     (4) Long lasting, non-dropping flowers. 
     (5) Vigorous and compact grower. 
     (6) Plant saleable 10 to 11 weeks after potting. 
     (7) Seed capsules push slightly through. 
     (8) Spear-shaped medium green, slightly serrated leaves. 
     (9) After maturity the flowers dry off, and remain on the peduncle without becoming infected by botrytis. 
     The new cultivar is most similar to, and was specifically intended to improve upon the characteristics of, my previously patented cultivar Florida. In comparison to Florida, the new cultivar is principally distinguished by its frilled edges, different color of the blooms, more compact growth habit and improved flowering habit. 
    
    
     The accompanying color photographic drawing shows a typical specimen plant of the new cultivar. The colors appearing in the photograph are as true as possible with color illustrations of this type. 
    
    
     In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Color Chart (R.H.S.), except where general colors of ordinary significance are referred to. Color values were taken under natural sunlight conditions at approximately 2 p.m. in Nashville, Tenn. 
     Botanical classification: Saintpaulia ionantha, Ramt., c.v. Improved Florida. 
     Parentage: 
     Male parent.--XIX 4158. 
     Female parent.--B. 
     Propagation: The new cultivar holds its distinguishing characteristics through successive propagations by leaf cuttings. 
     Plant: From 10 cm to 14 cm tall when grown in pots, and approximately 25-30 cm in diameter when fully grown. 
     Leaves.--General Form: Spear-shaped. Diameter: 60-70 mm wide and 70-80 mm long. Texture: Velvety. Aspect: Hairy, shiny, slightly serrated. Veins: Upperside: visible; underside: well pronounced, purplish touch on younger leaves, shiny. Color (upperside): Yellow-Green Group 147 A. Color (underside): Greyed-Green Group 194 C. Petiole: Strong upright, green with purplish-brown touch, hairy. 
     Flowers.--Buds: Bell-shaped, 7-8 mm just before opening, purplish red. Sepals: Five (5). Color: Purplish brown. Calyx: Shape: Funnel-shaped. Aspect: Spear-shaped, hairy. Peduncle: Character: Strong upright, hairy. Color: Purplish brown. Individual flowers: Size: 40-50 mm. Shape: Single violet-shaped (3 large, 2 small petals) with slightly frilled edges. Color (upperside): Red-Purple Group 66 between C and D. Seasonal changes may vary the color somewhat. Under cooler temperatures and more intensive lighting, the pink tends to intensify. Color (underside): Red-Purple Group 74 D. Borne: Each flower stem carries 6-8 and more flowers on strong, upright peduncle that are free standing above the leaves, thereby forming a compact bouquet. Flowering habit: Flowers 10-11 weeks after potting. 
     Reproductive organs.--Stamens: 2. Anthers: 2 composed of 4 anther cells, seed capsule pushes slightly through. Filaments: Yellowish green, 4-5 mm long. Pollen Color: Yellow Group 7 A. 
     Styles.--6-7 mm long, purplish pink, base of ovary light green and hairy. 
     Roots.--Normally developed, white when young, turning slightly brownish when older. 
     Disease resistance: Good. 
     General observations: Improved Florida is a very attractive, vigorous and compact grower with medium green, spear-shaped, slightly serrated leaves. A tight bouquet of flowers free standing above the leaves develops after approximately 10-11 weeks. Each of the 7-8 and more strong flower stems carries 6-8 and more single violet-shaped purplish pink flowers with slightly frilled edges. The purplish pink color is darker in the center and radiates somewhat into the two smaller petals. The edges have a very fine darker line also. The flowers are long-lasted and non-dropping and the seed capsules push slightly through. Occasionally, an additional very small petal may develop in the center.