Patent Publication Number: US-PP32183-P2

Title: Vaccinium plant named ‘FC12-029’

Description:
Botanical/commercial classification: 
     Latin name of genus and species of plant claimed:  Vaccinium  ( angustifolium  x  myrsinites ) x  corymbosum  hybrid. 
     Variety denomination: ‘FC12-029’. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of  Vaccinium  plant botanically known as  Vaccinium  ( angustifolium  x  myrsinites ) x  corymbosum  hybrid and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘FC12-029’. 
     The new cultivar was created in a controlled breeding program in Lowell, Oreg. during May 2010. The objective of the breeding program was the development of superior  Vaccinium  cultivars that meet the evolving needs of the blueberry and home enthusiast industries. 
     The new  Vaccinium  cultivar is the result of cross-pollination. The female parent (i.e., seed parent) of the new cultivar is ‘NC-4339’, a non-introduced, non-patented breeder seedling. The male parent (i.e., pollen parent) of the new cultivar is ‘ZF09-246’, a non-introduced, non-patented breeder seedling. 
     The parentage can be summarized as follows:
 
‘NC-4339’ x ‘ZF09-246’
 
     The new cultivar was obtained and selected as a single flowering plant within the progeny of the above stated cross-pollination during July 2012 in a controlled environment in Lowell, Oreg. 
     Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by softwood stem cuttings since 2012 in Lowell, Oreg. has demonstrated that the new cultivar reproduces true to type with all of the characteristics, as herein described, firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of such asexual propagation. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The new cultivar of the present invention possesses the following combination of characteristics, which have been repeatedly observed and can be used to distinguish ‘FC12-029’ as a new and distinct cultivar of  Vaccinium  plant:
         (a) forms white colored inflorescences,   (b) exhibits medium green foliage,   (c) forms moderately vigorous, mounded to weeping growth habit, and   (d) produces a good crop load of small fruit.       

     The new variety can be readily distinguished from its ancestors. More specifically, ‘NC-4339’ (i.e., seed parent) produces more new canes, forms smaller leaves and exhibits more red bark color compared to the new variety. Additionally, ‘ZF09-249’ (i.e., pollen parent) produces smaller and less rounded berries with more luster and less cold hardiness compared to the new variety. Moreover, the new variety can be readily distinguished from non-parental related similar varieties. Of the many commercially available  Vaccinium  cultivars, the most similar in comparison to the new cultivar is ‘ZF08-095’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,467). However, plants of the new cultivar differ from plants of ‘ZF08-095’ in at least the following characteristics:
         1. Plants of the new cultivar have a wide and low growth habit, whereas the plants of ‘ZF08-095’ have a round growth habit;   2. Plants of the new cultivar have leaves that are lighter green and less glossy than plants of ‘ZF08-095’.       

    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH 
       The accompanying photographs show, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color illustrations of this type, typical specimen of the new variety. 
       The illustrated  Vaccinium  plant of the new variety in  FIG. 1  was approximately two years of age and was grown in Cochranville, Pa. in April 2019. The illustrated  Vaccinium  plant of the new variety in  FIG. 2  was approximately three years of age and was grown outdoors in the ground in Lowell, Oreg. in July 2017. 
         FIG. 1 —illustrates a close-up view of a flower cluster of ‘FC12-029’. 
         FIG. 2 —illustrates a side view of a plant of ‘FC12-029’. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION 
     The chart used in the identification of colors described herein is that of The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S. Colour Chart, London, England, 2015 edition), except where general color terms of ordinary significance are used. The terminology which precedes reference to the chart has been added to indicate the corresponding color in more common terms. The color values were determined under natural light conditions in Cochranville, Pa. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plants.
     Plant:
             Growth habit and general appearance .—Moderately vigorous, wide and low growth habit, which is mounded to weeping.     Size .—Height: from soil level to top of plant plane is approximately 35.0 cm. — Width: approximately 60.0 cm.     Branching habit .—Freely branching. Pinching enhances branching. — Quantity of lateral branches per plant: approximately 10 main branches.     Branch .—Strength: strong. — Length: approximately 25.0 cm. — Diameter: approximately 4.0 mm. — Length of central internode: approximately 2.0 cm. — Texture: mostly smooth with some rough areas where the wood is starting to become harder. — Color of mature stems: commonly mostly Yellow-Green Group 146B with some fissures of near Grey-Brown Group N199B where the wood is starting to become harder.       
       Foliage:
             General description .—Fragrance: none detected. — Form: simple. — Arrangement: alternate.     Leaves .—Shape: elliptic. — Margin: entire. — Apex: acute. — Base: cuneate. — Venation pattern: pinnate. — Length of mature leaf: approximately 4.5 cm. — Width of mature leaf: approximately 2.0 cm. — Texture of upper and lower surfaces: glabrous. — Color of upper surface of young foliage: commonly near Green Group 143A with some overtones of Greyed-Orange Group 177A with indistinguishable venation. — Color of lower surface of young foliage: commonly near Yellow-Green Group 146B with venation of near Yellow-Green Group 146C. — Color of upper surface of mature foliage: commonly near Green Group 137A with venation of near Green Group 137B. — Color of lower surface of mature foliage: commonly near Green Group 137C with venation of near Green Group 137D.     Petiole .—Length: approximately 2.0 mm. — Diameter: approximately 1.0 mm. — Texture: glabrous. — Color: commonly near Yellow-Green Group 144B.       
       Flowering:
             Flowering season .—Flowers in spring in southeastern Pennsylvania.     Lastingness of individual inflorescence on the plant .—Approximately one week.       
       Flower:
             General description .—Shape: urceolate. — Quantity per plant: approximately 200 fully open on a plant at a given time. — Fragrance: very slight, sweet. — Aspect: pendulous.     Bud just before opening .—Shape: oval. — Length: approximately 1.1 cm. — Diameter: approximately 0.5 cm. — Color: commonly close to White Group N155B.     Corolla .—Color commonly near White Group NN155B. — Length: approximately 8.0 mm. — Width: approximately 6.0 mm. — Aperture width: approximately 3.0 mm.     Calyx .—Shape: star-shaped. — Depth: approximately 4.0 mm. — Diameter: approximately 6.0 mm.     Sepals .—Quantity: 5. — Shape: ovate. — Margin: entire. — Apex: acute. — Base: fused. — Length: approximately 4.0 mm. — Width: approximately 2.0 mm. — Texture of upper surface: glabrous. — Texture of lower surface: glabrous. — Color of upper and lower surfaces: commonly near Green Group 143C.     Peduncle .—Strength: strong. — Shape: rounded. — Aspect: erect to about 45° from branch axis. — Length: approximately 2.0 cm. — Diameter: approximately 2.0 mm. — Texture: glabrous. — Color: commonly near Green Group 143A.     Pedicel .—Strength: strong. — Shape: rounded. — Aspect: pendulous to about 45° from branch axis. — Length: approximately 1.0 cm. — Diameter: approximately 1.0 mm. — Texture: glabrous. — Color: commonly near Green Group 144B.     Reproductive organs.—       Androecium .—Stamen quantity per flower: approximately 10. — Stamen length: approximately 4.0 mm. — Anther shape: narrow oblong. — Anther length: approximately 2.5 mm. — Anther color: commonly near Greyed-Orange Group 165B. — Pollen amount: not observed.     Gynoecium .—Pistil quantity: 1 per flower. — Pistil length: approximately 1.0 cm. — Stigma shape: flat disk. — Stigma color: commonly near Yellow-Green Group 145A. — Style length: approximately 7.5 mm. — Style color: commonly near Yellow-Green Group 145B. — Ovary length: approximately 2.0 mm. — Ovary color: commonly near Yellow-Green Group 146C.       
       Fruit:
             Date of  50%  maturity .—July in Southeastern Pennsylvania.     Fruit development period.— 80 to 85 days. Fruiting on one-year old shoots, not found on current season wood in most circumstances.     Berry surface wax abundance .—Low.     Fruit bloom intensity .—Low.     Berry flesh color .—Commonly near Greyed-Green Group 198B.     Berry size .—Height from calyx to scar: 1.0 cm. — Diameter 1.2 cm.     Berry shape .—Semi-spherical.     Berry firmness .—Medium firm.     Berry flavor and texture .—Very tart flavor, smooth texture.     Suitability of mechanical harvesting .—Not suitable.     Uses .—Intended for home gardens, container gardening, and/or ornamental uses.       
       Seed:
             Seed abundance in fruit .—Low, with 2 under-developed seeds per berry.     Seed color .—commonly near Greyed-Orange Group 166A.     Seed size.— 1.0 mm long; 0.5 mm wide for under-developed seeds.       
       Development:
             Disease and pest resistance .—Resistance to pathogens and pests common to  Vaccinium  has not been observed.     Commercial crop time .—Approximately one year from a rooted cutting to finish in a one-gallon container.     Hardiness .—USDA Zone 5.       
       

     The new cultivar has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions to date. Accordingly, it is possible that the phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in the environment, such as temperature, light intensity, and day length, without, however, any variance in genotype.