Patent Publication Number: US-4259-P

Title: Impatiens plant -- Navajo

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present new variety (seedling 76-36-10) was discovered by me in a commercial greenhouse in Fremont, Calif. as a result of the cross pollination of unpatented pistil parent 75-15 and unpatented pollen parent 75-1. 
     Asexual reproduction of my new cultivar by terminal or stem cuttings grown in 6&#34; pots in a plastic (polyethylene) greenhouse in Fremont, Calif. under normal environment conditions show that the characteristics described come true to form and are established and transmitted through succeeding propagations. 
     Color readings were taken during daylight hours in full sun, and all colors are based on the Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     Navajo is closest in characteristics to USDA Arabesque. 
     The following outstanding characteristics of Navajo distinguish it from USDA Arabesque: 
     1. A rich red-green foliage with a very distinct golden brown to off-yellow variegation under high light, unlike the much lighter variegation of Arabesque. 
     2. A rose-red flower with a light eye and of medium size, unlike the large candy-striped flower of Arabesque. 
     3. Internode is short to medium; a very upright grower with a stiff, thick stem. Arabesque is not as stiff nor as upright. 
     4. Leaves do not cup down as much as Arabesque. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH 
     The accompanying colored photograph illustrates the overall appearance of the cultivar Navajo showing the colors as true as reasonably possible for this type of colored reproduction. However, under high light the flower becomes a rose color and the variegation widens and becomes more distinct. Under low light the flower darkens and the variegation almost disappears; intensity of red leaf pigment decreases. The second photograph illustrates the leaf variability under different environmental conditions. 
    
    
     The following detailed description of Navajo is based on observations made of the new cultivar on Jan. 13, 1977. 
     I. PLANT 
     Name: Navajo. 
     Origin: Seedling 76-36-10 of the cross pollination of unpatented pistil parent 75-15 and unpatented pollen parent 75-1. 
     Form: Excellent upright. 
     Height to flower: -- 38 cm. 
     Growth: Good. 
     Type of cutting: Terminal or stem. 
     Rooting time: Typical, 10-14 days. 
     Rooting habit: Fast, dendritic. 
     II. FOLIAGE 
     Arrangement: Lower leaves opposite (usually only one set); upper foliage on a break, whorled 3-6. 
     Shape: Elliptic to oblanceolate. 
     Tip: Acuminate. 
     Base: Attenuate. 
     Margin: Ciliate at base to serrulate at tip. 
     Venation: Pinnate. 
     Size: Petiole and blade 17.5 cm., length of blade 14.5 cm., width of blade at widest point 4.5 cm. 
     Surface: Glabrous, waxy 
     Variegation: Increases with age of plant and light intensity. 
     Color: 
     Petiole.--Upper 185C, lower 185A. 
     veins.--185A. 
     leaf.--a. Upper: mature upper 147A, mature lower 136B. b. Lower: 138B with red sheen. 
     Variegation: 
     
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a. Edge: 147A                                                             
b. Middle: 136A                                                           
                Blending                                                  
c. Center: 137C                                                           
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     III. STEM 
     Color: 47B at top of plant, fading out as one approaches the bottom. 
     Internode: 
     Length.--Moderate. 
     Size.--Heavy. 
     Node expanded (relative to internode): Moderate expansion. 
     Breaking action: Moderate to good for a pot variety. 
     IV. FLOWER 
     Form: Typical. 
     Borne: End of branches, terminal. 
     Blooming habit: 
     Relative number.--Moderate. 
     Time in flowering.--Moderate. 
     Longevity.--5 days, heavily dependent on temperature. 
     Size: 
     Length.--6 cm. 
     Width.--5.5 cm. 
     Spur.--5 cm. 
     Color: 
     
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1. Eye: Bluish red 50B fading to white 49C                                
2. Middle                                                                 
 43 C                                                                     
3. Edge                                                                   
4. Pedicel: 52 C                                                          
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     V. REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS 
     Stamen: 
     
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1. Anthers                                                                
typical in form, fused hood over pistil                                   
2. Filament                                                               
3. Pollen:                                                                
a. Color: 160C                                                            
b. Abundance: Typical, plenty                                             
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     Pistils: 
     
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1. Style                                                                  
 typical in form                                                          
2. Ovaries                                                                
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     VI. OTHER CHARACTERISTICS 
     Diseases: Navajo is less susceptible than other varieties to most soft rots.