Patent Publication Number: US-PP35190-P2

Title: Gentiana plant named ‘Ashiro 29-2073’

Description:
Common name: Japanese gentian. 
     Botanical classification:  Gentiana  L. hybrid. 
     Variety denomination: ‘Ashiro 29-2073’. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY 
     The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of Japanese gentian,  Gentiana  L., which has been given the variety denomination ‘Ashiro 29-2073’. 
     This new gentian has a color of inner side of lobes which is light purple (N80D on The RHS Colour Chart) and a stem length of 83.8 cm on average. It is adapted for use as cut flowers or pot flowers. 
     ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY 
     The variety resulted from a multiple-step cross-breeding program starting from a group of unpatented varieties. The ancestor varieties were unpatented strains owned by the applicant, having the company-internal names: ‘17INP’ which belongs to the species  Gentiana triflora , and ‘25-322-R1’, ‘26-904’, ‘12-320-1’, ‘14-526-2’, ‘11-24-1’, ‘11-192-1’, ‘13SH’, ‘10-76’, ‘6-62’, ‘12-186-1’, ‘12-212-1’, ‘25-817’, ‘17SUP’, and ‘8-130SP6A1’, which belong to the species  Gentiana scabra . Group crosses and/or self-crosses with a single individual were performed. The program had seven steps, as shown in the map of  FIG.  6   , which also indicates the company-internal names of the intermediary, unpatented strains. At each step, the individuals with good plant and flower shape were selected. The corresponding species identification is
 
((( scabra x( scabra x triflora ))x scabra )))x(( scabra x triflora )x scabra )).
 
     With respect to the direct parents ‘28-2012Co-3b’ and ‘27-836-53’, the instant variety ‘Ashiro 29-2073’ has a triploid and double-flowered flower type, whereas ‘28-2012Co-3b’ has tetraploid and double-flowered flower type, and ‘27-836-53’ has diploid and single-flowered flower type. 
     The multiple-step cross-breeding program was performed over multiple growing seasons up to 2018; in September 2018, selection of the variety was performed. We asexually reproduced the variety by vegetative reproduction through cuttings, tissue culturing via lateral bud culture, and in October 2020, the new variety was found to be stable and asexually reproduced true to type in successive generations. 
     The variety was developed and propagated in Iwate, Japan. 
     The variety can be propagated by cutting (optimal timing is mid-February) and/or tissue culturing via lateral bud culture. 
     Cultivation of the variety does not require particular conditions. Maintenance and storage method of the plant material can be by tissue culture via lateral bud culture. 
     The variety is adapted for use as cut flowers or pot flowers. 
     SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY 
     The variety is distinguished by the color of inner side of lobes being light purple (N80D on The RHS Colour Chart) and by its stem length of 83.8 cm on average, as compared to ‘Lovely Ashiro’ variety whose color of inner side of lobes is pale purple (N75B on The RHS Colour Chart) and whose stem length is 110.1 cm on average. ‘Lovely Ashiro’ is unpatented. 
     A comparison with ‘Lovely Ashiro’ variety is presented as follows in Table 1: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 ‘Lovely Ashiro’ 
                 ‘Ashiro 29-2073’ 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 Color of inner side  
                 Pale purple (N75B on  
                 light purple (N80D on  
               
               
                 of lobes 
                 the RHS Colour Chart) 
                 the RHS Colour Chart) 
               
               
                 Stem length 
                 110.1 cm 
                 83.8 cm 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Additional distinguishing characteristics of the ‘Ashiro 29-2073’ plant are the six-seven (6.3 on average) lobes of the paracorolla, and the light purple color (N80C on The RHS Colour Chart), with spots, with acute apex in-between the main lobes of the corolla. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the accompanying drawings, which are as nearly true as is reasonable possible to make in a color illustration of this type: 
         FIG.  1    is a color photograph showing the ‘Ashiro 29-2073’ plant as grown in a culturing bed; 
         FIG.  2    is a color photograph showing flowers of the ‘Ashiro 29-2073’ plant; 
         FIG.  3    is a color photograph showing flowering stages of flowers of the ‘Ashiro 29-2073’ plant; 
         FIG.  4    is a color photograph showing petals of flowers of the ‘Ashiro 29-2073’ plant; 
         FIG.  5    is another color photograph showing flowers of the ‘Ashiro 29-2073’ plant; 
         FIG.  6    is a map showing the steps of the cross-breeding program from which the variety was obtained. 
       Due to chemical and/or digital development, processing and printing, the plants or portions of plants depicted in the photographs may or may not be precisely accurate, when compared to the actual botanical specimens. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The plants in the botanical description below and shown in the Figures were grown in Iwate, Japan. The plants were collected in October 2020 at age 16 months. 
     Colors are given according to The 2015 R.H.S. Colour Chart. 
     BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 Stem 
                 Length: 
                 83.8 cm 
               
               
                   
                 Thickness (main flowering  
                  3.9 mm 
               
               
                   
                 stem): 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Number of flowering stems  
                  13.2 
               
               
                   
                 per plant (average): 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Texture: 
                 smooth 
               
               
                   
                 Color: 
                 strong yellow green (145A 
               
               
                   
                   
                 on RHS Colour Chart) 
               
               
                   
                 Anthocyanin coloration at  
                 present, dark red (187B 
               
               
                   
                 two thirds from base: 
                 on RHS Colour Chart) 
               
               
                   
                 Number of internodes longer  
                  17.9 
               
               
                   
                 than 5 mm (average): 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Length of internode in  
                  5.3 cm 
               
               
                   
                 central third: 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Side shoots: 
                 present 
               
               
                   
                 Number of side shoots with  
                  2.6 
               
               
                   
                 only one node (average): 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Number of side shoots with  
                  7.4 
               
               
                   
                 more than one node  
                   
               
               
                   
                 (average): 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Length of side shoots  
                  44.5 cm 
               
               
                   
                 (average): 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Diameter of side shoots  
                  2.4 mm 
               
               
                   
                 (average): 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Texture of side shoots: 
                 smooth 
               
               
                   
                 Color of side shoots: 
                 light yellow green (145C 
               
               
                   
                   
                 on RHS Colour Chart) 
               
               
                   
                 Position of longest leaf: 
                 in lower third 
               
               
                 Leaf 
                 Length: 
                  7.3 cm 
               
               
                   
                 Leaf arrangement: 
                 opposite leaf arrangement 
               
               
                   
                 Leaf attachment: 
                 sessile 
               
               
                   
                 Leaf apex: 
                 acuminate 
               
               
                   
                 Leaf margin: 
                 entire 
               
               
                   
                 Leaf base: 
                 rounded 
               
               
                   
                 Leaf texture (inner side): 
                 smooth 
               
               
                   
                 Leaf texture (outer side): 
                 smooth 
               
               
                   
                 Leaf color (inner side): 
                 moderate olive green 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (137A on RHS Colour 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Chart) 
               
               
                   
                 Leaf color (outer side): 
                 moderate yellow green 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (138C on RHS Colour 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Chart) 
               
               
                   
                 Leaf venation pattern: 
                 parallel venation (five 
               
               
                   
                   
                 lines) 
               
               
                   
                 Leaf venation color: 
                 light yellow green (150D 
               
               
                   
                   
                 on RHS Colour Chart) 
               
               
                   
                 Width: 
                  2.4 cm 
               
               
                   
                 Shape: 
                 lanceolate 
               
               
                   
                 Shape in cross section: 
                 folded upwards 
               
               
                   
                 Shape in longitudinal section: 
                 straight 
               
               
                   
                 Twisting: 
                 present 
               
               
                   
                 Number of conspicuous  
                  5 
               
               
                   
                 veins: 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Anthocyanin coloration: 
                 absent 
               
               
                 Inflore- 
                 Distribution of flowers: 
                 clustered 
               
               
                 scence 
                 Position of flowers: 
                 terminal and axillary 
               
               
                   
                 Number of inflorescences per  
                 398.3 
               
               
                   
                 plant per season (average): 
                   
               
               
                 Plant: 
                 Number of terminal flowers  
                  6.9 
               
               
                   
                 (average): 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Typical plant height: 
                 about 83.8 cm 
               
               
                   
                 Typical growth habit: 
                 erect 
               
               
                   
                 Plant height (average): 
                 83.8 cm 
               
               
                   
                 Plant spread (average): 
                 74.8 cm 
               
               
                   
                 Plant shape: 
                 erect 
               
               
                   
                 Number of flowers per  
                 top: 6.9 
               
               
                   
                 inflorescence: 
                 others: 2.7 
               
               
                   
                 Number of flowers at central  
                  2.7 
               
               
                   
                 flowering node (average): 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Number of flowering node: 
                  8.8 
               
               
                 Flower bud 
                 Shape of bud: 
                 oval 
               
               
                 (about 3 
                   
                   
               
               
                 days before 
                   
                   
               
               
                 flowering) 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Length of bud (average): 
                 48.02 mm 
               
               
                   
                 Diameter of bud (average): 
                 12.30 mm 
               
               
                   
                 Color of bud: 
                 greyish purplish red 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (N77B on RHS Colour 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Chart) 
               
               
                 Flower 
                 Type: 
                 double 
               
               
                   
                 Time of flowering: 
                 mid-October 
               
               
                   
                 Flower longevity (potted  
                 12 days 
               
               
                   
                 plant): 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Flower longevity (cut  
                  8 days 
               
               
                   
                 flower): 
                   
               
               
                 Corolla 
                 Depth: 
                 46.0 mm 
               
               
                   
                 Diameter at middle third: 
                 16.6 mm 
               
               
                   
                 Shape: 
                 campanulate 
               
               
                   
                 Diameter at top: 
                 32.5 mm 
               
               
                   
                 Curvature of lobes: 
                 reflexed 
               
               
                   
                 Margin of lobes: 
                 entire 
               
               
                   
                 Texture of lobes: 
                 smooth 
               
               
                   
                 Color of outer side of lobes: 
                 light purple (N80D on 
               
               
                   
                   
                 RHS Colour Chart) 
               
               
                   
                 Color of inner side of lobes: 
                 light purple (N80D on 
               
               
                   
                   
                 RHS Colour Chart) 
               
               
                   
                 Tube length (average): 
                 29.5 mm 
               
               
                   
                 Tube texture: 
                 smooth 
               
               
                   
                 Color of inner side of tube: 
                 light purple (76A on RHS 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Colour Chart) 
               
               
                   
                 Color of upper part of inner  
                 light purple (N81D on 
               
               
                   
                 side of tube: 
                 RHS Colour Chart) 
               
               
                   
                 Color of outer side of tube: 
                 greyish purplish red 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (N77B on RHS Colour 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Chart) 
               
               
                   
                 Color of upper part of outer  
                 greyish purplish red 
               
               
                   
                 side of tube: 
                 (N77B on RHS Colour 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Chart) 
               
               
                   
                 Streaked pattern on outer  
                 present 
               
               
                   
                 side of tube: 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Color of streaked pattern on  
                 purplish-brown 
               
               
                   
                 outer side of tube: 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Number of lobes: 
                 at least 6 
               
               
                   
                 Length of lobes: 
                 10.0 mm 
               
               
                   
                 Width of lobes: 
                 11.6 mm 
               
               
                   
                 Shape of lobes: 
                 broad triangular 
               
               
                   
                 Shape of distal end of lobes: 
                 acute 
               
               
                   
                 Presence of secondary lobes: 
                 present 
               
               
                   
                 Shape of secondary lobes: 
                 acute 
               
               
                   
                 Shape of secondary lobe  
                 acute 
               
               
                   
                 apex: 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Margin of secondary lobes: 
                 entire 
               
               
                   
                 Length of secondary lobes  
                  4.9 mm 
               
               
                   
                 (average): 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Width of secondary lobes  
                  2.9 mm 
               
               
                   
                 (average): 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Texture of secondary lobes: 
                 smooth 
               
               
                   
                 Color of secondary lobes: 
                 light purple (N80C on 
               
               
                   
                   
                 RHS Colour Chart) for 
               
               
                   
                   
                 both surfaces 
               
               
                   
                 Presence of spots on  
                 present 
               
               
                   
                 secondary lobes: 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Color of spots on secondary  
                 strong yellow green (143B 
               
               
                   
                 lobes: 
                 on RHS Colour Chart) 
               
               
                 Paracorolla 
                 Presence of paracorolla: 
                 present 
               
               
                   
                 Number of paracorolla lobes  
                  6.3 
               
               
                   
                 (average): 
                   
               
               
                 Calyx 
                 Anthocyanin coloration: 
                 present 
               
               
                   
                 Length of tube: 
                 15.6 mm 
               
               
                   
                 Diameter of tube: 
                  7.5 mm 
               
               
                   
                 Shape of tube: 
                 funnel-shaped 
               
               
                   
                 Texture of tube (inner side): 
                 smooth 
               
               
                   
                 Texture of tube (outer side): 
                 slightly wrinkled 
               
               
                   
                 Shape of lobe: 
                 narrow lanceolate 
               
               
                 Sepal 
                 Sepal number: 
                  6 
               
               
                   
                 Sepal lobe shape: 
                 narrow lanceolate 
               
               
                   
                 Sepal length (average): 
                 20.9 mm 
               
               
                   
                 Sepal width (average): 
                  4.6 mm 
               
               
                   
                 Sepal apex: 
                 acute 
               
               
                   
                 Sepal margin: 
                 entire 
               
               
                   
                 Sepal texture (inner side): 
                 smooth 
               
               
                   
                 Sepal texture (outer side): 
                 smooth 
               
               
                   
                 Sepal color (inner side): 
                 moderate yellowish green 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (139B on the RHS Colour 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Chart) 
               
               
                   
                 Sepal color (outer side): 
                 strong yellow green 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (143C on the RHS Colour 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Chart) 
               
               
                 Repro- 
                 Stamens and anther: 
                 stamens are mutated into 
               
               
                 ductive 
                   
                 petals and there is no 
               
               
                 organs 
                   
                 anther 
               
               
                   
                 Pistil number: 
                  1 
               
               
                   
                 Pistil length (average): 
                 35.0 mm 
               
               
                   
                 Stigma (none) 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Style (none) 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Ovary color: 
                 light yellow green (145C 
               
               
                   
                   
                 on RHS Colour Chart) 
               
               
                 Roots 
                 Root shape: 
                 fine and fibrous 
               
               
                 Pedicel 
                 No pedicel 
                   
               
               
                 Peduncle 
                 Peduncle length (average): 
                  2.90 mm 
               
               
                   
                 Peduncle diameter (average): 
                  3.30 mm 
               
               
                   
                 Peduncle texture: 
                 smooth 
               
               
                   
                 Peduncle color: 
                 light yellow green (145C 
               
               
                   
                   
                 on RHS Colour Chart) 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     In the above chart, specific numbers correspond to average values. 
     Other features of the plant are as follows:
     Disease resistance: Normal resistance was observed for pests and diseases in Iwate, Japan, using pest control by chemical spraying for gentian.   Cold hardiness: Strong, the variety can withstand winter in Iwate, Japan, including low temperatures of about −10° C. with abundant snow.   Heat tolerance: Normal, the variety can withstand summer in Iwate, Japan, including high temperatures of about 35° C.   Flower fragrance: Absent.