Patent Publication Number: US-PP17698-P3

Title: Variety of geranium plant named ‘Penlava’

Description:
Botanical classification:  Pelargonium×hortorum.    
   Varietal denomination: ‘Penlava’. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of  Pelargonium×hortorum  known by the varietal name ‘Penlava’. The new variety was discovered in 1994 in a selective breeding program in Dresden, Germany. The new variety is the result of the crossing of dark leafed breeding varieties. The exact parents are unknown. The new variety was first asexually reproduced by cuttings in Dresden, Germany in 1995. The new variety has been trial and field tested and has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics and remain true to type through successive propagations. 

   
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     The accompanying photographic drawings illustrate the new variety, with the color being as nearly true as is possible with color illustrations of this type; 
       FIG. 1  is a photograph of the entire plant; and 
       FIG. 2  is a close-up of the flowers of the new variety. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT 
   The following detailed description sets forth the characteristics of the new cultivar. The data which defines these characteristics were collected by asexual reproductions carried out in Dresden, Germany. Plants were grown in greenhouse conditions and were nine months old when described. The color readings were taken outdoors in shadow during summer. Color references are primarily to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London. 
   PLANT 
   
       
       Classification:
             Botanical.—Pelargonium×hortorum.        Commercial. —Zonal  geranium.          
     
       Form: Erect. 
       Height from media surface to top of foliage: 40 cm. 
       Height from media surface to top of umbel: 50 cm. 
       Average spread: 30 cm. 
       Growth: Medium degree of branching. 
       Strength: Does not require artificial support. 
       Response time:
             Time from cutting until plant is rooted. —3.5 weeks.     Time from cutting until plant flowers. —3.5 months.       
     
       Leaves:
             Size. —8-10 cm long; 8 cm wide.     Shape. —Cordate.     Margin. —Partially toothed.     Texture. —Hairy.     Color. —Green Group 139A with weak zone of 147A.     Ribs and veins. —Color: Brighter than leaf surface.       
     
       Petioles:
             Color. —147B.     Length. —6-8 cm.     Diameter. —3 mm.     Strength. —High.     Surface texture. —Rough.       
     
       Stem/branches:
             Length. —20-25 cm.     Width. —10 mm.     Color. —139A.     Internode length. —4-6 cm.       
     
     
  
   THE BUD 
   
       
       Shape when just showing color:
             Overall.— Spherical.     Individual bud. —Elliptical.       
     
       Color: Green Group 136B. 
       Size when just showing color:
             Umbel. —8-10 cm across.     Individual bud. —1.2 cm long; 0.6-0.8 cm wide.       
     
     
  
   INFLORESCENCE 
   
       
       Average number of flowers per inflorescence: 10-15. 
       Blooming habit: Semi-double. 
       Size of fully open bloom: 4.5 cm across. 
       Borne: Flowers on umbel; umbel on pedicel; pedicel on peduncle. 
       Flowers:
             Form. —Zygomorph.     Number of petals. —7-9.     Petals. —Length: 25 mm. Width: 23 mm. Shape: Fan-shaped. Margin: Entire. Color: Upper surface: Purple Group 78C. Lower surface: Purple Group 75C.     Eye color. —57A.     Texture and appearance. —Velvety.       
     
       Petaloids: Absent. 
       Pedicel:
             Length. —2.0-2.5 cm.     Color. —Reddish-green.       
     
       Peduncle:
             Length. —10 cm.     Color. —Reddish-green.       
     
       Disease/pest resistance: No unusual susceptibility to diseases or pests has been noted to date. 
       Weather tolerance: Very heat tolerant, not cold tolerant. 
       Lasting quality: Long-lasting; 4 weeks per umbel. 
     
  
   REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS 
   
       
       Stamens:
             Anthers. —3 mm long.     Filaments. —Length: 0.5 cm maximum. Color: White.     Pollen. —Orange.       
     
       Pistils:
             Number. —Five.     Length. —0.3-0.4 cm.     Stigma. —Pink.     Style. —0.8 cm long.     Shape. —Actinomorphic.       
     
       Ovaries:
             Color. —Greenish.     Length. —0.4 cm.       
     
       Fruit: Very rarely present. 
     
  
   GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS 
   
       
       
         
           1. Dark-leafed. 
           2. Intense flower color with eye. 
           3. Shiny flower color. 
           4. Vigorous growth habit.