Patent Publication Number: US-PP27045-P2

Title: Petunia plant named ‘KLEPH14245’

Description:
Genus and species:  Petunia hybrida.    
     Variety denomination: ‘KLEPH14245’. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT 
     The present invention comprises a new and distinct variety of  petunia , botanically known as  Petunia hybrida  and hereinafter referred to by the variety name ‘KLEPH14245’. ‘KLEPH14245’ is a selection from a cross-pollination of the female  petunia  line ‘PH-2001-U282’ commercially known as variety ‘Famous Light Blue’ or ‘U 282’, also known as ‘KLEC02061’ (unpatented) and the commercial male  petunia  line Surfina Perfume Blue, also known as ‘Sunsurblue’ (patent status unknown). 
     In July of 2010 the proprietary female  petunia  line ‘PH-2001-U282’ and the proprietary male  petunia  line Surfina Perfume Blue were cross pollinated in Latina, Italy and seeds were obtained. The seeds were sown and plants were grown for evaluation. A plant line was selected in April 2011 in Latina, Italy and named ‘KLEPH14245’. In April 2011, ‘KLEPH14245’ was first vegetatively propagated by terminal tip cuttings in Latina, Italy. ‘KLEPH14245’ was found to reproduce true to type in successive generations of asexual propagation via tissue culture and terminal tip cuttings. 
     SUMMARY 
     The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new variety when grown under normal horticultural practices in Latina, Italy.
         1. Violet-blue flower color; and   2. A semi-trailing plant habit.       

    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS 
       This new  petunia  plant is illustrated by the accompanying photograph, which shows the plant grown in a pot. The plant is about 3 months-old grown in Stuttgart, Germany in May 2013. 
       The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY 
     The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘KLEPH14245’. The data which define these characteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out in Latina, Italy. Data was collected on twelve-week-old plants grown indoors in Latina, Italy under greenhouse conditions in February 2015. Color references are to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.), 5 th  edition (2007).
     Classification:
             Family .—Solanaceae.     Species.—Petunia hybrida.        Common name.—Petunia.        Variety .—‘KLEPH14245’.       
       Parentage:
             Female .—Commercial  petunia  line ‘PH-2001-U282’.     Male .—Commercial  petunia  line Surfina Perfume Blue also known as ‘Sunsurblue’.       
       Plant:
             Form .—Vigorous growth.     Habit .—Semi-trailing.     Height  ( from top of soil ).—5.0 cm.     Width  ( horizontal plant diameter ).—20.0 cm.     Propagation .—Terminal tip cuttings.     Time to produce a finished flowering plant .—About 14 weeks in winter under short day conditions, 7 weeks in spring.     Time to initiate and develop roots.— 2 to 3 weeks.     Root description .—Moderate density, moderate branching, white roots.       
       Stems:
             Average number  ( basal ).—11.     Length of basal branches  ( from the base of the stem to the tip ).—9.5 cm.     Internode length.— 0.8 cm to 1.5 cm.     Diameter of branches  ( from midpoint ).—0.4 cm.     Stem color .—RHS 144D.     Anthocyanin .—Absent.     Texture .—Tomentose.       
       Leaves:
             Arrangement .—Alternate.     Length.— 4.3 cm.     Width.— 2.2 cm.     Shape .—Elliptic.     Apex .—Broadly acuminate.     Base .—Attenuate.     Margin .—Entire.     Immature leaf color .—Upper surface: RHS 146A. Lower surface: RHS 146B. Mature leaf color: Upper surface: RHS 137B. Lower surface: RHS 146B. Texture: Upper and lower surfaces: Slightly pubescent. Venation pattern: Arcuate. Venation color: Upper and lower surfaces: RHS 145A. Petioles: Length: 0.5 cm. Diameter: 0.2 cm. Color: RHS 144C. Texture: Tomentose.       
       Flower bud:
             Shape .—Irregular oblong.     Length.— 3.5 cm to 4.3 cm.     Diameter.— 0.5 cm.     Color at tight bud .—RHS 92A and RHS 145B.     Texture .—Slightly pubescent.       
       Inflorescence:
             Blooming habit  ( flowering season ).—Permanent flowering during summertime.     Inflorescence type .—Cymose.     Number of flowers per node.— 2.     Lastingness of individual blooms on the plant.— 7 to 10 days.     Fragrance .—Absent.     Flowers .—Arrangement: Composed of 5 petals fused at the base. Shape: Funnel form. Diameter (flower face): 5.5 cm. Depth (total length of flower): 6.0 cm. Throat/Funnel: Length: 2.5 cm. Diameter (at opening): 1.0 cm. Texture: Inner and outer surfaces: Smooth, glabrous. Color, immature flower: Face/Margin: Darker than RHS N88. Upper surface: Darker than RHS N88. Lower surface: RHS 90B. Color, mature flower: Face/Margin color: RHS 90C. Upper surface: RHS 90C. Lower surface: RHS 90D.     Petals .—Apex: Mucronate. Base: Fused. Margin: Entire. Strength of waviness: Weak. Degree of lobation: Medium weak.     Calyx arrangement .—Actinomorphic, composed of 5 sepals.     Sepals .—Color: Upper surface: RHS 146A. Lower surface: RHS 146B. Length: 1.2 cm. Width: 0.3 cm. Shape: Linear. Apex: Acute. Base: Attenuate. Margin: Entire. Texture: Upper and lower surfaces: Slightly pubescent.     Pedicels .—Color: RHS 144A. Length: 2.0 cm. Diameter: 0.1 cm. Texture: Pubescent.       
       Reproductive organs:
             Stamens .—Quantity: 5. Shape: Needle like with elliptic head. Filament: Length: 1.8 cm to 2.2 cm. Diameter: 0.02 cm. Color: RHS 149D. Anther: Shape: Elliptic. Color: RHS N200D. Length: 0.25 cm. Diameter: 0.15 cm. Pollen: Color: RHS 156A. Amount: Moderate.     Pistils .—Quantity per flower: 1. Length: 2.2 cm. Stigma color: RHS 139B. Style color: RHS 145B.       
       Fruit and seed set: None observed.   Disease and pest/insect resistance: None observed.   

     COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL LINES AND KNOWN VARIETY 
     ‘KLEPH14245’ is a distinct variety of  petunia . ‘KLEPH14245’ is distinguished from its parents as described in Table 1: 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Comparison with Parental Lines 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Variety 
                 Female parent 
                 Male Parent 
               
               
                 Trait 
                 ‘KLEPH14245’ 
                 ‘PH-2001-U282’ 
                 Surfina Perfume Blue 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Flower color 
                 Violet-blue 
                 Purple-violet 
                 Purple-violet 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     ‘KLEPH14245’ is most similar to the commercial  petunia  plant named Surfina Perfume Blue also known as ‘Sunsurblue’ (patent status unknown). Differences between the two varieties are described in Table 2: 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Comparison with Similar Variety 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                   
                 Variety 
                 Commercial line 
               
               
                   
                 Trait 
                 ‘KLEPH14245’ 
                 Surfina Perfume Blue 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Flower color 
                 Violet-blue 
                 Purple-violet