Patent Publication Number: US-6867-P

Title: Chrysanthemum plant named Apricot Impala

Description:
The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Chrysanthemum, botanically known as Chrysanthemum morifolium, and referred to by the cultivar name Apricot Impala. 
     Apricot Impala is a spontaneous mutation of Impala, disclosed in a pending application of applicant. The new cultivar was discovered by applicant in a cultivated bed of plants of the parent cultivar Impala in De Lier, Holland in 1984. The new cultivar was immediately recognized by its apricot ray floret color, as compared to the light pink ray florets of Impala. 
     The first act of asexual reproduction of Apricot Impala was accomplished when vegetative cuttings were taken after discovery of the mutation in a controlled environment in De Lier, Holland by a technician working under formulations established and supervised by Jacques C. M. Van der Knaap. Horticultural examination of selected units has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for Apricot Impala are firmly fixed and are retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction. 
     Apricot Impala 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 De Lier, Holland under greenhouse conditions which approximate those generally used in commercial practice. 
     The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be basic characteristics of Apricot Impala, which in combination distinguish this Chrysanthemum as a new and distinct cultivar: 
     1. Flat capitulum form. 
     2. Single, daisy capitulum type. 
     3. Apricot ray floret color. 
     4. Diameter across the face of the capitulum is 45-75 mm. 
     5. Yellow-green (immature) to yellow (mature) disc florets. 
     6. Excellent vigor and growth habit. 
     In comparison to the parent cultivar Impala, Apricot Impala has a better growth habit, apricot ray florets, and a somewhat larger flower. The flower type, capitulum form, and disc floret color of Apricot Impala are similar to those same characteristics of Impala. 
     Apricot Impala is also similar in many respects except flower color to the cultivars Cream Impala, Pink Impala, Salmon Impala and Golden Impala, all of which are also mutations of Impala and disclosed in pending applications of applicant. 
    
    
     The accompanying photographic drawing shows in side view typical inflorescence and foliage characteristics of Apricot Impala, with colors being as true as possible with illustrations of this type. 
    
    
     In the following description, color references are made to the Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart. The color values were determined between 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon in August under natural daylight at De Lier, Holland. 
     Classification: 
     Botanical.--Chrysanthemum morifolium, Ramat., cv. Apricot Impala. 
     Commercial.--Cut daisy spray. 
     INFLORESCENCE 
     A. Capitulum: 
     Form.--Flat. 
     Type.--Daisy. 
     Diameter across face.--45-75 mm. 
     B. Corolla of ray florets: 
     Color (general tonality from a distance of three meters).--Apricot. 
     Color (upper surface).--R.H.S. 21D. 
     C. Corolla of disc florets: 
     Color (mature).--Yellow. 
     Color (immature).--Yellow-green. 
     D. Reproductive organs 
     Androecium.--Present in disc florets; numerous. 
     Gynoecium.--Present in both disc and ray florets; numerous. 
     PLANT 
     A. General appearance: 
     Height.--90 cm. 
     B. Foliage: 
     Color (upper surface).--R.H.S. 147A. 
     Shape.--Long lobed and deeply serrated.