Patent Publication Number: US-PP23893-P2

Title: Abutilon plant named ‘NUABTANG’

Description:
Genus:  Abutilon.    
     Species: × hybrida.    
     Denomination: ‘NUABTANG’. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of  Abutilon×hybrida , commonly known as Chinese lantern, a grouping that encompasses selections of complex origins. The new cultivar is in the family Malvaceae. Known botanically as  Abutilon×hybrida  the new variety will be referred to hereinafter by the cultivar name ‘NUABTANG’. 
     ‘NUABTANG’ is the result of a breeding program that commenced in 2000 in Pennant Hills, New South Wales, Australia. The objectives of the breeding program are to develop compact forms of  Abutilon  with significantly improved flowering characteristics, particularly a long flowering period, floriferous nature, and a wide range of flower color presented well at the time of sale. 
     ‘NUABTANG’ is a seedling selection resulting from the controlled cross-pollination of two parents which had been raised and retained by the inventor for breeding purposes. The female parent is an individual seedling known to the inventor as XO3.17.2 (unreleased and unpatented). The male parent is an individual seedling known to the inventor as XO3.17.5 (unreleased and unpatented). Cross-pollination was conducted by the inventor in December 2004. This process entailed emasculating flowers of the male parent by removing anthers and pollen in order to impregnate ovules in flowers of the female parent. Resulting seed was collected and sown by the inventor in February 2005, then grown out. In September 2005, the inventor field-transplanted thirty-eight of the resulting seedlings to grow out, with the intention of making a final selection. In October 2006 the inventor selected ‘NUABTANG’ in Cobbitty, New South Wales, Australia, based on the breeding objectives. 
     ‘NUABTANG’ is distinguishable from the parent selections by plant size and habit and by flower color. Both parent selections exhibit large leaves and less compact habit when compared with ‘NUABTANG’. Whereas the flower color of ‘NUABTANG’ is bright orange-peach in color, the flowers of the female parent are lemon-yellow in color and the flowers of the male parent are dull (i.e. less vibrant) orange in color. 
     The closest comparison plant in commerce known to the inventor would be a seedling of similar flower color (if available) which can be raised from the Bella series of  Abutilon , which is a seed strain. There are no named cultivars in this series which does not have the longevity of flowering period which is a characteristic of ‘NUABTANG’ which appears to be sterile. 
     ‘NUABTANG’ exhibits compact habit, bell-shaped blooms that are bright orange-peach in color, with prominent cream-green calyces and medium sized green leaves. Flowers have a long flowering season, blooming from spring through fall. ‘NUABTANG’ is an ornamental suitable for use in pot and container, garden border, or modern landscape, performing best in well-drained soil and full sun with moderate water. Trimming stems when young, and after blooming, encourages strong basal branching and re-blooming. After one year of growth, a plant of ‘NUABTANG’ achieves 50 cm. in height and 50 cm. in width. As a mature plant, the dimensions of ‘NUABTANG’ are 100 cm. in height and 100 cm. in width. Other than hibiscus beetle which is a known pest of the genus, and whitefly which are attracted to the genus, ‘NUABTANG’ does not exhibit any notable susceptibility or resistance to pests and diseases. ‘NUABTANG’ is hardy in USDA Zone 8, and tolerant of heat and drought once established. 
     ‘NUABTANG’ was first asexually propagated by the inventor in October 2006 in New South Wales, Australia. Asexual propagation was accomplished using softwood cuttings. Since that time, under careful observation, the distinguishing characteristics of ‘NUABTANG’ have been determined stable and uniform, and to reproduce true to type in successive generations of asexual propagation. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The following represent the distinguishing characteristics of the new  Abutilon  cultivar named ‘NUABTANG’. In combination these traits set ‘NUABTANG’ apart from all other existing varieties of  Abutilon  known to the inventor. ‘NUABTANG’ has not been tested under all possible conditions and phenotypic differences may be observed with variations in environmental, climatic, and cultural conditions, however, without any variance in genotype.
         1. ‘NUABTANG’ is perennial in temperatures above 15° Fahrenheit.   2. The growth habit of ‘NUABTANG’ is compact due to its short internodes and freely branching structure.   3. ‘NUABTANG’ achieves a height of 50 cm. and a spread of 50 cm. in the first year of growth.   4. ‘NUABTANG’ achieves a height of 100 cm. and a spread of 100 cm. at maturity.   5. The stems of ‘NUABTANG’ are strong and rigid.   6. The flowers of ‘NUABTANG’ are bell-shaped facing downward and outward.   7. The flowers of ‘NUABTANG’ are bright orange-peach in color.   8. The calyces of ‘NUABTANG’ are prominent cream-green in color.   9. ‘NUABTANG’ appears to be sterile and blooms from spring through fall.       

    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying color drawings illustrate the overall appearance of the new  Abutilon  cultivar named ‘NUABTANG’ showing color of the foliage and flower as true as is reasonably possible to obtain in color reproductions of this type. 
       The drawing labeled  FIG. 1  depicts a whole plant of ‘NUABTANG’, which is five-months-old from a cutting. The illustrated plant has been grown indoors in Oxnard, Calif. in a greenhouse heated to maintain a minimum temperature of 60° Fahrenheit. 
       Drawing labeled  FIG. 2  depicts a close-up view of the bright orange-peach flowers of ‘NUABTANG’ and their cream-green calyces. 
       The drawings are made using conventional techniques and although foliage color may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance, they are as accurate as possible by conventional photography. 
     
    
    
     BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT 
     The following is a detailed description of the  Abutilon  cultivar named ‘NUABTANG’. Data was collected in Arroyo Grande, Calif. from three-month-old plants grown outdoors in 1-litre containers. Color determinations are in accordance with The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart except where general color terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The growing requirements are similar to the species.
     Botanical classification:  Abutilon×hybrida  ‘NUABTANG’.   Family: Malvaceae.   Genus:  Abutilon.      Species:  ×hybrida.      Denomination: ‘NUABTANG’.   Common name: Chinese lantern.   Use: Pot and container, garden border, and modern landscape.   Parentage:  Abutilon×hyhrida  ‘NUABTANG’ is a seedling selection resulting from the deliberate controlled cross-pollination of the following parents:
             Female parent .—An individual  Abutilon  XO3.17.2 (unpatented).     Male parent .—An individual  Abutilon  XO3.17.5 (unpatented).       
       Vigor: Vigorous.   Growth habit: Compact.   Height: 15 cm. in height.   Width: 30 cm. in width.   Dimensions first year: 50 cm. in height and 50 cm. in width.   Dimensions at maturity: 100 cm. in height and 100 cm. in width.   Hardiness: USDA Zone 8.   Propagation: Softwood cuttings.   Root system: Fine and fibrous.   Cultural requirements: Plant in full sun and well-drained soils with moderate water, drought tolerant once established.   Type: Perennial.   Time to initiate roots (range): 14-28 days to produce roots on an initial cutting.
             Crop time    (range ).—6-8 weeks to produce a 4-inch container plant from a 72 cell transplant (spring planting) and 10-12 weeks to produce a 1-litre container plant from a 72 cell transplant (spring planting).       
       Seasonal interest: Showy flowers and calyces spring through fall.   Special considerations: Trim back when young and after blooming to encourage strong basal branching and re-blooming.   Stem:
             Branching habit .—Freely branching.     Stem length  ( range ).—15 cm. to 23 cm.     Stem diameter.— 0.40 cm.     Stem texture .—Soft woody.     Stem strength .—Strong and rigid.     Internode length  ( average ).—2 cm.     Shape .—Cylindrical.     Surface .—Glabrous.     Branch color.— 138B.       
       Foliage:
             Leaf arrangement .—Alternate.     Leaf division .—Simple.     Leaf margin .—Crenate.     Leaf shape  ( range ).—Cordate to ovate.     Leaf base .—Cordate.     Leaf apex .—Acute.     Leaf venation .—Pinnate and reticulate.     Vein color  ( adaxial surface ).—145B.     Vein color  ( abaxial surface ).—145B.     Leaf surface  ( adaxial ).—Pubescent.     Leaf surface  ( abaxial ).—Pubescent with veins lanate.     Leaf texture .—Velutinous.     Leaf attachment .—Long-petiolate.     Petiole dimensions  ( average ).—2.50 cm. in length and 1 mm. in width.     Petiole color.— 147B.     Petiole surface .—Puberulent.     Leaf length  ( range ).—5.5-7 cm.     Leaf width  ( range ).—1.5-5 cm.     Leaf color  ( adaxial surface ).—137A.     Leaf color  ( abaxial surface ).—N138B.     Stipules .—Present.     Stipule color.— 145B.     Stipule dimensions.— 4 mm. in length and 3 mm. in diameter.     Stipule apex .—Acute.     Foliar fragrance .—Absent.       
       Inflorescence:
             Type .—Cyme.     Dimensions of inflorescence  ( average ).—4 cm. in length and 10 cm. in width.     Quantity of flowers per inflorescence  ( range ).—3-4 per cyme.     Flower arrangement .—Clustered.     Flower shape .—Campanulate.     Flower diameter  ( range ).—4.50 cm.-5.00 cm.     Flower depth  ( average ).—4.50 cm.     Aspect .—Pendulous.     Persistent or self - cleaning .—Self-cleaning.     Bud color.— 145A.     Bud shape .—Ovoid.     Bud length  ( range ).—1.10 cm. to 1.60 cm.     Bud diameter  ( range ).—1.00 cm. to 1.50 cm.     Bud apex .—Acute.     Bud surface .—Pubescent.     Petals .—Five in number.     Petal shape .—Obdeltoid.     Petal apex .—Obtuse.     Petal base .—Attenuate.     Petal length.— 3.60 cm.     Petal width.— 3.50 cm.     Petal margin .—Entire and involute.     Petal color  ( abaxial surface ).—37A.     Petal color  ( adaxial surface ).—34A.     Petals unfused or fused .—Unfused and individually adnate to stamen column.     Petal surface  ( abaxial and adaxial surface ).—Glabrous.     Epicalyx .—Absent.     Calyx shape .—Lobed.     Calyx color  ( dorsal and ventral surfaces ).—145C.     Calyx surface  ( dorsal and ventral ).—Pubescent.     Calyx dimensions.— 2.50 cm. in diameter and 1.50 cm. in length.     Lobes.— 5 in number.     Lobe dimensions.— 1 cm. in length and 0.75 cm. in width.     Lobe apex .—Broad acute.     Lobe base .—Truncate.     Lobes fused or unfused .—Basally fused.     Lobe margin .—Entire.     Blooming season .—Spring through fall.     Peduncle arrangement .—Axillary.     Peduncle shape .—Cylindrical.     Peduncle length.— 1 cm. to 2 cm.     Peduncle width.— 1 mm.     Peduncle color.— 146D.     Peduncle surface .—Flocculent.     Flower fragrance .—Absent.       
       Reproduction organs:
             Stamens .—Many filaments connate into hollow stamen column.     Stamen column color.— 9A.     Stamen column dimensions.— 3 cm. in length and 2 mm. in diameter.     Stamen column surface .—Fluted and glabrous.     Anther .—Approximately 75 in number.     Anther color.— 16A.     Shape of anther .—Crescent-shaped.     Dimensions of anther.— 4 mm. in length and less than 0.50 mm. in diameter.     Pollen quantity .—Heavy.     Pollen color.— 16A.     Style.— 5 in number, many enclosed within stamen column.     Stigma number  ( average ).—9 in number.     Stigma .—Exserted and divided.     Stigma color .—N34A; except lower one-third of length, 1B.     Stigma dimensions.— 2 cm. in length and less than 0.50 mm. in diameter.     Ovary position .—Superior.     Ovary shape .—Conic.     Ovary color.— 145D.     Ovary dimensions.— 6 mm. in height and 3 mm. in width.       
       Seed: None observed to date.