Patent Publication Number: US-5324-P

Title: Chrysanthemum plant named Debonair

Description:
The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Chrysanthemum morifolium, Ramat., hereinafter referred to by the cultivar named Debonair. 
     Debonair is a product of a planned breeding program which had the objective of creating cultivars with decorative capitulum type, medium height, spreading branching pattern, durable inflorescence, seven (7) week flowering response period, and purple ray floret color under outdoor natural season conditions. 
     Debonair was originated from a cross made by Grace H. Mack in a controlled breeding program in New Canaan, Conn. in the year 1978. The female parent was 4080, a salmon pink decorative, an unnamed seedling selected from a cross of M4570×M859. The male parent was M712, an orange bronze decorative, an unnamed seedling selected from a cross of M539×3363. 
     Debonair was discovered and selected as a flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross by William E. Duffett in 1979 in an outdoor field in Salinas, Calif. The first act of asexual reproduction of Debonair was accomplished when vegetative cuttings were taken from the initial selection in Salinas, Calif. by William E. Duffett. Horticultural examination of selected units initiated July 1980 has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics herein disclosed for Debonair are firmly fixed and are retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction. 
     Debonair 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 comparisons describe plants grown in a field in Salinas, Calif. 
     Rooted cuttings were established in soil in one gallon containers maintained outdoors under the natural temperature and day length prevailing during July through September. Single pinching was practiced with all branches and buds retained. 
     The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be basic characteristics of Debonair which in combination distinguish this chrysanthemum as a new and distinct cultivar: 
     (1) Flat capitulum form. 
     (2) Decorative capitulum type. 
     (3) Purple ray floret color. 
     (4) Diameter across face of capitulum up to 55 mm. 
     (5) Short plant height. 
     (6) Compact, spreading branching pattern. 
     (7) Average natural season flowering date of Sept. 15. 
     (8) Average flowering response period of seven (7) weeks in photoperiodic controlled flowering programs. 
    
    
     The accompanying photographic drawings show typical inflorescence and foliage characteristics of Debonair. Sheet 1 is a color photograph of Debonair. Sheet 2 is a black and white photograph showing three views of the inflorescence of Debonair. Sheet 3 is a black and white photograph showing the leaves of Debonair at three stages of growth (mature, intermediate, immature). 
    
    
     Of the many commercially available cultivars known to the present inventors, the most similar existing cultivar in comparison to Debonair is the purple cultivar Tinkerbell, an unpatented cultivar. 
     Reference is made to attached Chart A which compares certain characteristics of Debonair with the same characteristics of Tinkerbell. It will be noted that in comparison to Tinkerbell, Debonair has superior inflorescence and color durability, later natural season flower date, and larger diameter across face of capitulum. The capitulum form, capitulum type, plant height, ray floret color, branching pattern, and plant spread of Debonair are similar to those characteristics of Tinkerbell. 
     In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart. The color values were determined between 2:45 and 3:00 P.M. on Sept. 15, 1981 under 150 foot-candle light intensity at Salinas, Calif. 
     Botanical classification: Chrysanthemum morifolium, Ramat., cv Debonair. 
     INFLORESCENCE 
     Capitulum: 
     Form.--Flat. 
     Type.--Decorative. 
     Permanence.--3 To 4 weeks. 
     Diameter across face.--45 To 55 mm. 
     Corolla of ray florets: 
     Color (abaxial).--78C Immature to 78D mature. 
     Color (adaxial).--186D. 
     Reproductive organs: 
     Androecium.--Present disc florets; pollen scant. 
     Gynoecium.--Present both ray and disc florets. 
     Corolla of disc florets: 
     Color.--14A. 
     PLANT 
     General appearance: Compact with spreading branching pattern. 
     Foliage: 
     Color (abaxial).--147A. 
     Color (adaxial).--147B. 
     
                       CHART A                                                     
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Comparison Of Debonair and Tinkerbell                                     
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        Ray Floret                                                        
                  Capitulum    Average Natural                            
Cultivar                                                                  
        Color     Form and Type                                           
                               Season Flower Date                         
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Debonair                                                                  
        Purple    Flat         September 15                               
                  Decorative                                              
Tinkerbell                                                                
        Purple    Flat         September 5                                
                  Decorative                                              
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                           Diameter                                       
                 Branching Across   Permanence                            
        Plant    Pattern and                                              
                           Face Of  Of Form and                           
Cultivar                                                                  
        Height   Spread    Capitulum                                      
                                    Color                                 
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Debonair                                                                  
        Short    Compact   45 to 55 mm.                                   
                                    3 to 4 Weeks                          
                 Spreading          Firm                                  
                                    Inflorescence                         
                                    Color Resists                         
                                    Fading                                
Tinkerbell                                                                
        Short    Compact   30 to 45 mm.                                   
                                    1 to 2 Weeks                          
                 Spreading          Soft                                  
                                    Inflorescence                         
                                    Color Rapidly                         
                                    Fades                                 
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Comparisons Made Of Plants Grown Under Natural Season Out-                
door Field Conditions in Salinas, California