Patent Publication Number: US-2004049823-A1

Title: Altered flower pattern and color in new guinea impatiens

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION INFORMATION  
     [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Application No. 60/116,549 filed on Jan. 21, 1999. 
    
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] The present invention relates to new, distinct and stable New Guinea impatiens plants (hereinafter referred to as “NGI”) exhibiting a striped pattern or an altered flower color. The NGI plants of the present invention produce an inflorescence containing one or more flowers which have at least one petal per flower which exhibits a striped pattern or an altered flower color. The present invention also relates to methods for making a New Guinea impatiens plants having an inflorescence containing one or more flowers which have at least one petal per flower which exhibits a striped pattern or an altered flower color.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003] Only a very few floricultural crops have been introduced to the floriculture industry in the last 25 years that can compare with the success of New Guinea impatiens. ( New Guinea Impatiens, A Ball Guide,  edited by W. Banner and M. Klopmeyer, Ball Publishing (1995)). Initially, the NGI was regarded primarily as a bedding plant. Id. Now the crop is no longer confined to a bedding plant classification. Id. Instead, growers have realized that NGIs can be used as flowering potted plants and in hanging baskets. Id.  
       [0004] Impatiens plants reported to be native to New Guinea were classified in 1886 as  Impatiens Hawkeri.  Id. Occasionally, these early specimens were referred to as  Impatiens herzogii.  Id. In the early 1900&#39;s, botanists from Germany, England and the Netherlands explored parts of the Sundra Islands, and by 1915 nine New Guinea impatiens species were identified from this area:  I dahili, I herzogii, I laxterbachii, I linearifolia, I inooreana, I. polyphylla, I rodatzii, I schlechteri,  and  I. trichura.  Id. Taxonomically the collections were confusing and were considered to be habitat variations of  I. herzogii  rather than new species by Von R. Schlecter. Id. Expeditions by botanists from the United States, Australia, France and Switzerland also searched Papua and the New Guineas for new impatiens species. Id. In the most recent taxonomic classification, Grey-Wilson proposed that New Guinea impatiens belong to one highly variable species,  I. Hawkeri,  in which 15 groups were identified based on geographic location. Id.  
       [0005] Although diverse phenotypically, members of New Guinea impatiens are interfertile and generally have a 2n chromosome number of 32 (T. Arisumi,  J Hered.,  64: 77-79 (1973)). In 1970, the U.S. Department of Agriculture introduced 23 impatiens from New Guinea, in order to increase the germplasm pool for this crop. (H.F. Winters,  Am. Hortic.,  52, 923 (1973)). Breeding programs initiated with this material have led to the development of New Guinea impatiens plants that are adapted to a variety of light conditions, and have large flowers of a wide variety of colors including white, pink, red, orange, purple, rose, salmon and coral as well as bicolors. ( New Guinea Impatiens, A Ball Guide,  edited by W. Banner and M. Klopmeyer, Ball Publishing (1995)).  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006] The present invention relates to a NGI plant which has a flower containing at least one petal which exhibits a striped pattern or an altered flower color. This NGI plant may have a pedigree which includes the plants 1865, 2581 or 2582. Additionally, the present invention also includes pollen, ovules and seed from such a striped or altered flower color NGI plant. Moreover, the present invention also relates to a tissue culture of regenerable cells as well as a cutting from such a striped or altered flower color NGI plant.  
       [0007] The present invention also relates to a method for producing a NGI plant having a flower with at least one petal which exhibits a striped pattern. The method involves irradiating a NGI plant with electromagnetic radiation, ion beams or treating a NGI plant with a chemical mutagen and then selecting a shoot from the treated plant containing a flower having at least one petal which exhibits a striped pattern. The irradiated or chemically treated plant may be a rooted cutting or a whole plant.  
       [0008] If irradiated, the plant may be irradiated with gamma rays, x-rays or ultraviolet rays. The NGI plant may be irradiated with from about 1.5 to about 3.5 krads of electromagnetic radiation or ion beams.  
       [0009] If the NGI plant is treated with a chemical mutagen, it may be treated with alkylating sulphonates and sulphates, such as ethyl methane sulphonate, methyl methane sulphonate and diethyl sulphate, or nitroso compounds, such as nitrosoguanidine, ethylnitrosourea and methylnitrosourea.  
       [0010] Finally, the present invention relates to a method for altering the color of the petals of a flower of a NGI plant. The method involves irradiating a NGI plant with electromagnetic radiation, ion beams or treating a NGI plant with a chemical mutagen and then selecting a shoot from the treated plant containing a flower having at least one petal which exhibits an altered flower color. The irradiated or chemically treated plant may be a rooted cutting or a whole plant.  
       [0011] If irradiated, the plant may be irradiated with gamma rays, x-rays or ultraviolet rays. The NGI plant may be irradiated with from about 1.5 to about 3.5 krads of electromagnetic radiation or ion beams.  
       [0012] If the NGI plant is treated with a chemical mutagen, it may be treated with alkylating sulphonates and sulphates, such as ethyl methane sulphonate, methyl methane sulphonate and diethyl sulphate, or nitroso compounds, such as nitrosoguanidine, ethylnitrosourea and methylnitrosourea. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
     [0013] The file of this patent contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent with color drawing(s) will be provided by the Patent and Trademark Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee.  
     [0014]FIG. 1 shows a photograph of a flower from a NGI plant named ‘Grape Crush’. ‘Grape Crush’ has large round vibrant purple flowers with a red eye. The petals are brighter than Red-Purple Group 74A with the lower four petals commonly displaying bases (“displaying bases” as used herein refers to the area of common connection between the lower four petals) of Red Group 53C (adaxial), and Red-Purple Group 74B (abaxial).  
     [0015]FIG. 2 shows a photograph of a flower from NGI plant 1865 of the present invention. The plants of the present invention contain petals which exhibit a striped pattern. The petals have a color of Red-Purple Group 74A (adaxial) and Red-Purple Group 74B (abaxial). The stripes have a color of Red-Purple Group 65C.  
     [0016]FIG. 3 shows a photograph of flowers from a NGI plant named ‘Lavender Glow’. ‘Lavender Glow’ has large round purple flowers having a petal color of Purple-Violet Group 81C (adaxial) and Purple-Violet Group 81D (abaxial).  
     [0017]FIG. 4 shows a photograph of flowers from NGI plant 2581 of the present invention. The flowers of the plants of the present invention contain petals which exhibit a striped pattern. The petals have a color of Purple-Violet Group 8 1C (adaxial) and Purple-Violet Group 81D (abaxial). The stripes have a color of Purple Group 75D.  
     [0018]FIG. 5 shows a photograph of flowers from NGI plant 2582 of the present invention. The flowers of the plant of the present invention have altered flower color and have petals of color Purple Group 75D with Red-Purple Group 64C at the base (adaxial). Purple Group 75D with Red-Purple Group 64C at the base with midveins of Red-Purple Group 64B (abaxial).  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
     [0019] The color chart used in the identification of colors described herein is the R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England.  
     [0020] The NGI plants of the present invention have an inflorescence containing one or more flowers which have at least one petal per flower which exhibits a striped pattern or altered flower color. As used herein, the term “striped pattern” or “striping pattern” means that a darker background color on a flower petal is randomly interdispersed with irregular bands or streaks of a lighter color. As used herein, the term “altered flower color” means that the color on a flower petal has been changed (either lightened or darkened), when compared to a control plant not treated pursuant to the methods hereinafter described.  
     [0021]FIG. 1 is a photograph of a flower from a NGI plant named ‘Grape Crush’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,107). ‘Grape Crush’ has large round vibrant purple flowers with a red eye which displays an iridescent appearance. The petals are brighter than Red-Purple Group 74A with the lower four petals commonly displaying bases of Red Group 53C (adaxial), and Red-Purple Group 74B (abaxial). In addition, the foliage is medium green in coloration. Additionally, ‘Grape Crush’ exhibits good basal branching and an attractive moderately compact upright mounded growth habit.  
     [0022] In contrast, FIG. 2 is a photograph of a flower from the NGI 1865 of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows the distinct striping of the petals of the NGI plants of the present invention. The petals have a color of Red-Purple Group 74A (adaxial) and Red-Purple Group 74B (abaxial). The stripes have a color of Red-Purple Group 65C.  
     [0023]FIG. 3 shows a photograph of flowers from a NGI plant named ‘Lavender Glow’. Lavender Glow has large round purple flowers having a petal color of Purple-Violet Group 81C (adaxial) and 81D (abaxial).  
     [0024]FIG. 4 shows a photograph of flowers from NGI plant 2581 of the present invention. The flowers of the plant of the present invention contain petals which exhibit a striped pattern. The petals have a color of Purple-Violet Group 81C (adaxial) and Purple-Violet Group 81D (abaxial). The stripes have a color of Purple Group 75D.  
     [0025]FIG. 5 shows a photograph of flowers from NGI plant 2582 of the present invention. The flowers of the plant of the present invention have petals of color Purple Group 75D with Red-Purple Group 64C at the base (adaxial). Purple Group 75D with Red-Purple Group 64C at the base with midveins of Red-Purple Group 64B (abaxial).  
     [0026] This previously unknown striped and altered flower color NGI plants of the present invention arose as a result of the irradiation of a NGI plant with electromagnetic radiation, particularly, gamma rays. It is believed that the irradiation of a NGI causes a somatic mutation in the cells which produce flower color and thus results in a chimera having flowers with striped petals or flowers having altered color. Additionally, the striped NGI plants of the present invention maintain functional male and female organs.  
     [0027] It is believed that the striped pattern and altered flower color in the petals of a NGI plant can also be obtained in a NGI plant by irradiating a plant with other types of electromagnetic radiation such as x-rays, ultraviolet rays as well as with ion beams. The NGI plant can be irradiated with from about 1.5 to about 3.5 kilorads of electromagnetic radiation or ion beams. Preferably, the NGI plants are irradiated with from about 2.0 to 3.0 kilorads of radiation or ion beams.  
     [0028] Additionally, the striped and altered flower color NGI plants of the present invention may also be produced by treating a NGI plants with a chemical mutagen. Like the irradiation described earlier, it is believed that treating a NGI with a chemical mutagen causes a somatic mutation in the cells which produce flower color and thus results in a chimera having flowers with striped petals or altered flower color. Any chemical mutagen which causes a somatic mutation can be used to produce the striped or altered flower color NGI plants of the present invention. If the NGI plant is treated with a chemical mutagen, it may be treated with alkylating sulphonates and sulphates, such as ethyl methane sulphonate, methyl methane sulphonate and diethyl sulphate, or nitroso compounds, such as nitrosoguanidine, ethylnitrosourea and methylnitrosourea. Protocols for treating seeds with mutagens such as ethyl methane sulphonate (hereinafter “EMS”) are well established in the art. A standard procedure using Arabidopsis seed includes treatment with 0.1% to 0.3% EMS for about eight to about twelve hours. Treatment methods may include immersion of shoots, buds, seeds or cell cultures in the chemical solution. Immersion under pressure or the use of penetrating agents, such as dimethyl sulphoxide, may improve the penetration of the chemical into the plant tissue. In addition, solutions may be injected into buds or administered through cut ends of shoots.  
     [0029] A cutting rooted in a suitable growth medium, such as oasis, or an entire NGI plant may be irradiated or treated with a chemical mutagen using the processes described herein. If a rooted cutting is used, once irradiated or treated with a chemical mutagen, the cutting is allowed to grow. Shoots from the treated plants containing flowers having petals exhibiting the striped pattern or altered flower color described herein are then selected and propagated through cuttings or other forms of asexual reproduction. Further selections may be made if desired and maintained through successive generations via asexual reproduction. If an entire NGI plant is irradiated or treated with a chemical mutagen, shoots from the treated plant containing flowers having petals exhibiting the striped pattern or altered flower color are selected and propagated through asexual reproduction.  
     [0030] Using the techniques described herein, the striped pattern or altered petal color may be incorporated into NGI plants having many different flower colors, including plants with bicolor flowers. Additionally, the striped pattern or altered flower color can be incorporated into NGI plants having solid green foliage, green and yellow variegated foliage, dark green foliage, dark purplish leaves, dark purplish and cream variegated foliage, etc.  
     [0031] The NGI plants of the present invention are genetically stable and can be stably reproduced by means of asexual propagation. It is expected that any striped or altered flower color NGI plant can be produced commercially through asexual propagation. Cuttings for asexual propagation can be taken at any time of the year and no special hormones or soil mixtures are required.  
     [0032] By way of example, and not of limitation, examples of the present invention shall now be given.  
     EXAMPLE 1  
     Irradiation Program to develop NGI Plant 1865  
     [0033] ‘Grape Crush’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,107) is a compact, New Guinea impatiens plant having medium green foliage and vibrant solid red-purple flowers. The petals are brighter than Red-Purple Group 74A with the lower four petals commonly displaying bases of Red Group 53C (adaxial), and Red-Purple Group 74B (abaxial). As shown in FIG. 1, the petals of ‘Grape Crush’ do not exhibit a striped pattern. ‘Grape Crush’ is commercially available from Ball FloraPlant, 622 Town Road, West Chicago, Ill. 60185-2698.  
     [0034] Cuttings from ‘Grape Crush’ were irradiated with 2 kilorads of gamma rays. The irradiated cuttings were allowed to grow. A cutting containing a flower having petals which exhibited a striped pattern was made and allowed to grow. The resulting plant contained a number of flowers having petals which exhibited the striped pattern. A cutting of these flowers containing the petals with the striped pattern was made and planted. This cutting was designated 1865. As shown in FIG. 2, the petals of 1865 have a color of Red-Purple Group 74A (adaxial) and 74B (abaxial). The stripes have a color of Red-Purple Group 65C.  
     EXAMPLE 2  
     Detailed Description of Striped NGI Plant 1865 and Comparison with ‘Grape Crush’ 
     [0035] The color chart used in the identification of colors described herein is the R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England.  
                                       Characteristic   NGI Plant 1865   ‘Grape Crush’                  Propagation               Type cutting   Terminal tip   Terminal tip       Time to initiate   Approximately 14-21 days   Approximately 14-21 days       roots       Rooting habit   Fibrous, branching   Fibrous, branching       Plant Description       General appearance   Medium, upright mounded   Moderately compact, upright       and form       mounded       Crop time   Finished plant 10 weeks after   Finished plant 8 to 10 weeks after           planting a rooted cutting   planting a rooted cutting       Branching habit   Freely basal branching   Freely basal branching without           without pinching or growth   pinching or growth regulators           regulators       Lateral branch   Approximately 4   Approximately 5       number       Lateral branch   Approximately 11.8 cm   Approximately 11.5 cm       length       Lateral branch   Approximately 8 mm   Approximately 8 mm       diameter       Internode length   Approximately 4.6 cm   Approximately 2.5 to 2.8 cm       Stem color   Greener than Yellow-Green   Greener than Yellow-Green           Group 144A with Greyed   Group 144A with Greyed-           Purple Group 183B at nodes   Purple Group 183D at nodes.       Height of foliage   Approximately 16 cm above a 10   Approximately 8 to 9 cm           cm pot   above a 10 cm pot       Area of spread   Approximately 27 cm   Approximately 20 to 23       Foliage Description       Form   Elliptic with acuminate apex   Elliptic with acuminate apex           and attenuate base   and an acuminate base       Margin   Serrate, ciliate   Serrate       Arrangement   Alternate or in whorles of 5 or 6   Alternate or in whorles of 5 or 6       Venation pattern   Arcuate   Arcuate       Surface   Upper is rough; lower smooth   Upper is rough; lower smooth       Color of mature   Between Green Group 137 A and   Green Group 139A with veins       foliage-upper   Green Group 143A with veins of   and midrib of Yellow-Green       surface   Yellow-Green Group 148A and   Group 146D           midrib of Greyed-Orange Group           76C       Color of mature   Between Yellow-Green Group   Green Group 138A with midrib       foliage-lower   146B and Yellow-Green Group   and veins of Yellow-Green Group       surface   147B with veins and midrib of   146D           Yellow-Green Group 148A       Size   Approximately 9.2 cm in length   Approximately 9 to 10 cm in           and approximately 3.1 cm in width   length and 3 to 3.7 cm in width       Petiole length   Approximately 1.8 cm   Approximately 2 cm       Petiole diameter   Approximately 2 mm   Approximately 2 mm       Petiole color   Lighter than Grey-Orange Group   Lighter than Grey-Orange Group           176C   176C       Flower Description       Flowering habit   Freely flowering under outdoor   Freely flowering under outdoor           conditions with substantially   conditions with substantially           continuous blooming from spring   continuous blooming from spring           and fall   until fall       Flowers borne   Above foliage, arising from leaf   Above foliage, arising from leaf           axils   axils       Peduncle length   Approximately 6.1 cm   Approximately 6 cm       Peduncle color   Yellow-Green Group 146C   Yellow-Green Group 146C with           overlaid with Greyed-Purple   very faint overlay of Greyed-           Group 183D   Purple Group 183D       Flower form   Single   Single       Quantity of flowers   Approximately 3 per lateral branch   Approximately 6 to 7 per lateral               branch       Flower size   Approximately 5.9 cm   Approximately 5.3 to 6 cm       Number of petals   5, overlapping   5, overlapping       Petal texture   Iridescent   Iridescent       Petal shape   Obovate   Somewhat heart-shaped       Petal margin   Entire   Entire       Petal apex   Emarginate   Emarginate       Petal base   Lower petals narrow; upper petal   Lower petals narrow; upper petal           has a broad base   has a broad base       Petal length   3.3 cm   3 cm       Petal width   3.5 cm   3.7 cm       Flower color-fully   Petals are Red-Purple Group 74A   Petals are brighter than Red-       opened   with stripes of Red-Purple Group   Purple Group 74A with the lower           65C (adaxial); Red-Purple Group   four petals commonly displaying           74B (abaxial)   bases Red Group 53A (adaxial);               and Red-Purple Group 74B               (abaxial)       Flower bud shape   Ellipsoidal   Ellipsoidal       Flower bud length   Approximately 2.1 cm   Approximately 2 cm       Flower bud diameter   Approximately 1.1 cm   Approximately 1.7 cm       Sepals   Three sepals plus two rudimentary   Three sepals plus two           sepals are fused into the under   rudimentary sepals are fused into           surface of the superior petal. A   the under surface of the superior           spur originating from the base of   petal. A spur originating from the           the inferior sepal is approximately   base of the inferior sepal is           5.7 cm in length on fully opened   approximately 5 to 6 cm in length           flowers. The spur color is Red-   on fully opened flowers. The spur           Purple Group 60A with Yellow-   color is Red-Purple Group 60A           Green Group 145A at tip.       Reproductive organs   The anthers are fused together   The anthers are fused together           forming one organ that surrounds   forming one organ that surrounds           the pistil. The pistil is   the pistil. The stamens are Red-           approximately 5 mm long, the   Purple Group 74B. The ovary           stigma color is Yellow-Green   color is Yellow-Green Group           Group 144A. Generally, the   144A. Generally, the anthers shed           anthers shed pollen prior to the   pollen prior to the stigma           stigma becoming receptive. The   becoming receptive. The pollen           pollen color is Yellow Group 11B.   color is Yellow Group 11B.                  
 
     EXAMPLE 3  
     Irradiation Program to Develop NGI Plant 2581  
     [0036] ‘Lavender Glow’ is an upright, mounded New Guinea impatiens plant having medium green foliage and solid purple flowers. The petals have a color of Purple-Violet Group 81C (adaxial) and 81D (abaxial). As shown in FIG. 3, the petals of ‘Lavender Glow’ do not exhibit a striped pattern. ‘Lavender Glow’ is commercially available from Ball FloraPlant, 622 Town Road, West Chicago, Ill. 60185-2698.  
     [0037] Cuttings from ‘Lavender Glow’ were irradiated with 2 kilorads of gamma rays. The irradiated cuttings were allowed to grow. A cutting containing a flower having petals which exhibited a striped pattern was made and allowed to grow. This cutting was designated 2581. As show in FIG. 4, the petals of 2581 have a color of Purple-Violet Group 81C (adaxial) and Purple-Violet Group 81D (abaxial). The stripes have a color of Purple Group 75D.  
     EXAMPLE 4  
     Detailed Description of Striped NGI Plant 2581 and Comparison with ‘Lavender Glow’ 
     [0038]                                       Characteristic   NGI Plant 2581   ‘Lavender Glow’                  Propagation               Type cutting   Terminal tip   Terminal tip       Time to initiate roots   Approximately 14-21 days   Approximately 14-21 days       Rooting habit   Fibrous, freely branching   Fibrous, fine, freely branching       Plant Description       General appearance and   Upright and mounded; medium   Upright and mounded; medium       form   size; vigorous   size; vigorous       Crop time   Finished plant 8-10 weeks after   Finished plant approximately 10           planting a rooted cutting   weeks after planting a rooted               cutting       Branching habit   Freely basal branching without   Freely basal branching without           pinching or growth regulators   pinching or growth regulators       Lateral branch numbers   Approximately 5   Approximately 5 to 7       Lateral branch length   Approximately 15.8 cm   Approximately 11 to 12 cm       Lateral branch diameter   Approximately 8.3 mm   Approximately 5 to 7 mm       Internode length   Approximately 4.5 cm   Approximately 3 to 4 cm       Stem color   Greyed-Purple Group 183A   Greyed-Purple Group 183D       Height of foliage   Approximately 18 cm above a   Approximately 14 to 16 cm           10 cm pot   above a 10 cm pot       Area of spread   Approximately 35 cm   Approximately 20 to 25 cm       Foliage Description       Form   Elliptic with acute apex and   Elliptic with acuminate apex           acuminate base   and attenuate base       Margin   Serrate, ciliate   Serrate, ciliate       Arrangement   Opposite   Whorles or opposite       Venation pattern   Arcuate   Arcuate       Surface   Smooth   Slightly rugose; glossy;               glabrous       Color of mature foliage-   Closest to Green Group 137C   Green Group 139A with veins       upper surface   with veins of Greyed-Purple   of Red-Purple Group 59C           Group 185B       Color of mature foliage-   Closest to Green Group 137C   Green Group 138B with veins       lower surface   with veins of Greyed-Purple   of Red-Purple Group 59B           Group 185A       Size   Approximately 9.4 cm in   Approximately 7 to 8 cm in           length and approximately 3.5   length and approximately 2 to 3           cm in width   cm in width       Petiole length   Approximately 1.7 cm   Approximately 5 to 10 mm       Petiole diameter   Approximately 3 mm   Approximately 1.5 to 2.5 mm       Petiole color   Upper surface is Greyed-   Greyed-Purple Group 183D           Purple Group 185B; lower           surface is Greyed-Purple           Group 185A       Flower Description       Flowering habit   Freely flowering under outdoor   Freely flowering under outdoor           conditions with substantially   conditions with substantially           continuous blooming from   continuous blooming from           spring until fall   spring until fall       Flower type   Generally flat and rounded;   Generally flat and rounded;           typically face outward to   typically face outward to           upward   upward       Flowers borne   Above foliage, arising from   Above foliage, arising from leaf           leaf axils   axils       Peduncle length   Approximately 5.5 cm   Approximately 4 to 6 cm       Peduncle color   Grey-Purple Group 182B   Greyed-Purple Group 183D       Flower form   Single; sometimes exhibits   Single           “siamese” flowers       Quantity of flowers per   Approximately 3   Approximately 2       lateral stem       Quantity of flowers buds   Approximately 5   Approximately 5       per lateral stem       Quantity of flowers per   Approximately 15   Approximately 10       plant       Flower size   Approximately 6.2 cm width;   Approximately 7.3 to 7.5 cm           approximately 2 cm depth   width; approximately 1 cm               depth       Number of petals   5, overlapping   5, overlapping       Petal texture   Smooth, iridescent   Smooth, iridescent       Petal shape   Obovate   Cordate       Petal margin   Somewhat lacerate   Entire       Petal apex   Emarginate   Retuse       Petal base   Acuminate   Attenuate       Petal length   Approximately 3.4 cm   Approximately 3 to 4 cm       Petal width   Approximately 4.2 cm   Approximately 5 to 6 cm       Flower color- fully opened   Petals are Purple-Violet Group   Petals are Purple-Violet Group           81C with stripes of Purple   81C fading to Purple Group           Group 75D (adaxial); Purple-   76A (adaxial); Purple-Violet           Violet Group 81D (abaxial)   Group 81D (abaxial)       Flower bud shape   Oval-pointed   Elliptic       Flower bud length   Approximately 2.4 cm   Approximately 1.6 to 1.8 cm       Flower bud diameter   Approximately 1.3 cm   Approximately 1 cm       Flower bud color   Purple-Violet Group 81b   Purple-Violet Group 80A       Sepals   Three sepals plus two   Three sepals plus two           rudimentary sepals are fused   rudimentary sepals are fused           into the under surface of the   into the under surface of the           superior petal. A spur   superior petal. A spur           originating from the base of the   originating from the base of the           inferior sepal is approximately   inferior sepal is approximately 5           5.3 cm in length on fully   to 6 cm in length on fully           opened flowers. The spur color   opened flowers. The spur color           is Red-Purple Group 60A.   is Greyed-Purple 183D       Reproductive organs   The anthers are fused together   The anthers are fused together           forming one organ that   forming one organ that           surrounds the pistil. The pistil   surrounds the pistil. The ovary           is approximately 5 mm long,   color is Yellow-Green Group           the stigma color is Yellow-   144A. Anthers are obovate.           Green Group 150D, the style   Generally, the anthers shed           color is Green Group 143C,   pollen prior to the stigma           and the ovary color is Green   becoming receptive. Pollen           Group 143A. Anthers are 3   color is Yellow Group 11B.           mm in length having a color of           Yellow Group 12D. Generally,           the anthers shed pollen prior to           the stigma becoming receptive.           Pollen is produced in moderate           amounts and has color Yellow           Group 11C.                    
     EXAMPLE 5  
     Irradiation Program to Develop NGI Plant 2582  
     [0039] ‘Lavender Glow’ is an upright, mounded New Guinea impatiens plant having medium green foliage and solid red-purple flowers. The petals have a color of Purple-Violet Group 81C (adaxial) and Purple-Violet Group 81D (abaxial). As shown in FIG. 3, the petals of ‘Lavender Glow’ do not exhibit a striped pattern. Lavender glow is commercially available from Ball FloraPlant, 622 Town Road, West Chicago, Ill. 60185-2698.  
     [0040] Cuttings from ‘Lavender Glow’ were irradiated with 2 kilorads of gamma rays. The irradiated cuttings were allowed to grow. A cutting containing a flower having petals which exhibited an altered flower color was made and allowed to grow. This cutting was designated 2582. As shown in FIG. 5, the petals of 2582 have a color of Purple Group 75D with Red-Purple Group 64C at the base (adaxial). Purple Group 75D with Red-Purple Group 64C at the base with midveins of Red-Purple Group 64B (abaxial).  
     EXAMPLE 6  
     Detailed Description of Altered Flower Color NGI Plant 2582 and Comparison with ‘Lavender Glow’ 
     [0041]                                       Characteristic   NGI Plant 2582   ‘Lavender Glow’                  Propagation               Type cutting   Terminal tip   Terminal tip       Time to initiate roots   Approximately 14-21 days   Approximately 14-21 days       Rooting habit   Fibrous, freely branching   Fibrous, fine, freely branching       Plant Description       General appearance and form   Upright and mounded;   Upright and mounded; medium           medium size; vigorous   size; vigorous       Crop time   Finished plant 8-10 weeks   Finished plant approximately           after planting a rooted   10 weeks after planting a           cutting   rooted cutting       Branching habit   Freely basal branching   Freely basal branching without           without pinching or growth   pinching or growth regulators           regulators       Lateral branch number   Approximately 4   Approximately 5 to 7       Lateral branch length   Approximately 15.3 cm   Approximately 11 to 12 cm       Lateral branch diameter   Approximately 8.3 mm   Approximately 5 to 7 mm       Internode length   Approximately 5 cm   Approximately 3 to 4 cm       Stem color   Greyed-Purple Group 183A   Greyed-Purple Group 183D       Height of foliage   Approximately 21 cm above   Approximately 14 to 16 cm           a 10 cm pot   above a 10 cm pot       Area of spread   Approximately 31 cm   Approximately 20 to 25 cm       Foliage Description       Form   Elliptic with acute apex and   Elliptic with acuminate apex           acuminate base   and attenuate base       Margin   Serrate, ciliate   Serrate, ciliate       Arrangement   Opposite   Whorles or opposite       Venation pattern   Arcuate   Arcuate       Surface   Smooth   Slightly rugose; glossy;               glabrous       Color of mature foliage-   Closest to Green Group   Green Group 139A with veins       upper surface   139A with veins of Greyed-   of Red-Purple Group 59C           Purple Group 185C       Color of mature foliage-   Closest to Green Group   Green Group 138B with veins       lower surface   137C with veins of Greyed-   of Red-Purple Group 59B           Purple Group 185A       Size   Approximately 7.5 cm in   Approximately 7 to 8 cm in           length and approximately 3.3   length and approximately 2 to           cm in width   3 cm in width       Petiole length   Approximately 1.4 cm   Approximately 5 to 10 mm       Petiole diameter   Approximately 2 mm   Approximately 1.5 to 2.5 mm       Petiole color   Upper surface is Greyed-   Greyed-Purple Group 183D           Purple Group 185B; lower           surface is Greyed-Purple           Group 185A       Flower Description       Flowering habit   Freely flowering under   Freely flowering under outdoor           outdoor conditions with   conditions with substantially           substantially continuous   continuous blooming from           blooming from spring until   spring until fall           fall       Flower type   Generally flat and rounded;   Generally flat and rounded;           typically face outward to   typically face outward to           upward   upward       Flower borne   Above foliage, arising form   Above foliage, arising from           leaf axils   leaf axils       Peduncle length   Approximately 5.1 cm   Approximately 4 to 6 cm       Peduncle color   Greyed-Red Group 182B   Greyed-Purple Group 183D       Flower form   Single   Single       Quantity of flowers per   Approximately 2   Approximately 2       lateral stem       Quantity of flowers buds per   Approximately 4   Approximately 5       lateral stem       Quantity of flowers per plant   Approximately 8   Approximately 10       Flower size   Approximately 6.5 cm width;   Approximately 7.3 to 7.5           approximately 2 cm depth   width; approximately 1 cm               depth       Number of petals   5, overlapping   5, overlapping       Petal texture   Smooth, iridescent   Smooth, iridescent       Petal shape   Obovate   Cordate       Petal margin   Entire   Entire       Petal apex   Emarginate   Retuse       Petal base   Acuminate   Attenuate       Petal length   Approximately 3.1 cm   Approximately 3 to 4 cm       Petal width   Approximately 4.1 cm   Approximately 5 to 6 cm       Flower color-fully opened   Petals are Purple Group 75D   Petals are Purple-Violet Group           with Red-Purple Group 64C   81C fading to Purple Group           at the base (adaxial); Purple   76A (adaxial); Purple-Violet           Group 75D with Red-Purple   Group 81D (abaxial)           Group 64C at the base with           midveins of Red-Purple           Group 64B (abaxial)       Flower bud shape   Oval-pointed   Elliptic       Flower bud length   Approximately 1.7 cm   Approximately 1.6 to 1.8 cm       Flower bud diameter   Approximately 1 cm   Approximately 1 cm       Flower bud color       Purple-Violet Group 80A       Sepals   Three sepals plus two   Three sepals plus two           rudimentary sepals are fused   rudimentary sepals are fused           into the under surface of the   into the under surface of the           superior petal. A spur   superior petal. A spur           originating from the base of   originating from the base of the           the inferior sepal is   inferior sepal is approximately           approximately 5 cm in length   5 to 6 cm in length on fully           on fully opened flowers. The   opened flowers. The spur           spur color is Red-Purple   color is Greyed-Purple Group           Group 60A.   183D.       Reproductive organs   The anthers are fused   The anthers are fused together           together forming one organ   forming one organ that           that surrounds the pistil. The   surrounds the pistil. The ovary           pistil is approximately 5 mm   color is Yellow-Green Group           long, the stigma color is   144A. Anthers are obovate.           Yellow-Green Group 144D,   Generally, the anthers shed           the style color is Yellow-   pollen prior to the stigma           Green Group 144C, and the   becoming receptive. Pollen           ovary color is Yellow-Green   color is Yellow Group 11B.           Group 144B. Anthers are 3           mm in length having a color           of Yellow Group 12D.           Generally, the anthers shed           pollen prior to the stigma           becoming receptive. Pollen           is produced in moderate           amounts and has color           Yellow Group 12D.                    
     [0042] The present invention is illustrated by way of the foregoing description and examples. The foregoing description is intended as a non-limiting illustration, since many variations will become apparent to those skilled in the art in view thereof It is intended that all such variations within the as defined in the following claims.