Abstract:
A new and distinct variety of upright Oriental×Aurelia hybrid lily plant, named ‘Futura’, characterized by large, yellow flowers.

Description:
[0001]    The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of Lilium hybrid referred to commercially as an upright Oriental x Aurelia lily hybrid and given the cultivar name ‘Futura’.  
           [0002]    This new variety is the product of a controlled breeding program using embryo culture and was carried out in the municipality of Breezand, The Netherlands, using the proprietary Oriental type hybrid lily E-890-19 as seed parent and the proprietary Aurelia type hybrid lily OR-90.058-8 as the pollen parent. The resulting plants were evaluated for cut flower production. Compared to the typical characteristics of common Oriental or Aurelia lily hybrids, this new variety has larger flowers, taller overall plant height and taller stems, and blooms earlier.  
           [0003]    This new variety has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, day length, and nutrient availability, without, however, any variations in genotype.  
           [0004]    The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the basic characteristics of this invention that in combination distinguish this lily as a new and distinct variety: 1. floriferous habit; 2. large yellow flowers; 3. vigorous growth habit; 4. tall plant; 5. good virus tolerance; and 6. excellent vase-life.  
           [0005]    Bulbs of this plant may be pre-cooled and forced out of season for very uniform cut flower production.  
           [0006]    The primary distinguishing feature of ‘Futura’ is its numerous, large, yellow flowers.  
           [0007]    Asexual reproduction of this new variety has been accomplished at a nursery in Breezand, The Netherlands, by scaling and tissue culture. The resulting plants have shown that the above-mentioned unique features are stable and reproduce true to type in each successive propagation.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
       [0008]    This new variety of lily plant is illustrated in the accompanying photographic drawing, which shows the upper half portion of the flowering stem of a potted plant in the full face view of the flowers together with some foliage. The accompanying photograph, showing the ‘Futura’ variety, was taken in a studio and illustrates the typical flower and foliage form, with color as true as reasonably possible in this type of color illustration. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0009]    This detailed description of the invention is based on plants produced in greenhouses in Breezand, The Netherlands, with color references according to the RHS Colour Chart published by the Royal Horticultural Society of London, England, except where the context indicates a term having its ordinary dictionary meaning.  
         [0010]    Origin: Resulting from a hybridization. 
         [0011]    Parentage:  
         [0012]    [0012] Seed Parent.— Oriental type hybrid lily E-890-19 (proprietary owned).  
         [0013]    [0013] Pollen Parent.— Aurelia type hybrid lily OR90.058-8 (proprietary owned).  
         [0014]    [0014] Commercial classification.— Upright Oriental×Aurelium hybrid lily, cut flower type.  
         [0015]    Classification.—Division VIII, all hybrids not provided for in any previous Division according to the Horticultural Classification of Lilies by the Royal Horticultural Society.  
         [0016]    [0016] Form.— Single erect stem from each bulb bearing terminal cluster of flowers.  
         [0017]    [0017] Height.— To about 140 cm. from the top of the soil to the top of the inflorescence.  
         [0018]    [0018] Stem.— Green color.  
         [0019]    [0019] Growth.— Vigorous, upright, and very strong.  
         [0020]    Foliage:  
         [0021]    [0021] Arrangement.— Spiral.  
         [0022]    [0022] Quantity.— Many fine leaves.  
         [0023]    [0023] Leaf size.— To about 18.5 cm. long and to about 3 cm. wide.  
         [0024]    [0024] Leaf shape.— Lanceolate.  
         [0025]    [0025] Leaf margin.— Entire.  
         [0026]    [0026] Aspect.— Glossy.  
         [0027]    [0027] Texture.— Leathery.  
         [0028]    [0028] Color.— Upperside of leaves: Green (RHS137A) Underside of leaves: Green (RHS 13 9C)  
         [0029]    Bud:  
         [0030]    [0030] Size.— To about 13.5 cm. long and to about 3.5 cm wide, just prior to opening.  
         [0031]    [0031] Shape.— Lanceolate, with the apex commonly having three obtuse tips.  
         [0032]    [0032] Color.— Very Light Yellow (RHS 12C) at first opening turning into a Yellow (RHS 14C) when unfurling, blushed with Orange (RHS 35C).  
         [0033]    [0033] Opening Rate.— The mature bud opens slowly in response to light.  
         [0034]    Flower:  
         [0035]    [0035] Blooming habit.— Annually, once and profusely, early when planted outdoors and year round when planted in a greenhouse.  
         [0036]    [0036] Days to bloom.— Flowers approximately 70 days after greenhouse planting under typical flower forcing conditions at minimum temperature of 15° C.  
         [0037]    [0037] Flower size.— Very Large.  
         [0038]    [0038] Diameter.— To about 23 cm.  
         [0039]    [0039] Depth.— To about 7 cm.  
         [0040]    [0040] Borne.— Cluster of about 3 to 5 flowers from bulbs of about 14 to 16 cm. in circumference.  
         [0041]    [0041] Shape.— The flower is funnel shaped. After opening, the tepals recurve at the top.  
         [0042]    Tepalage:  
         [0043]    [0043] Number.— 6.  
         [0044]    [0044] Arrangement.— Imbricated.  
         [0045]    [0045] Shape.— Oval.  
         [0046]    [0046] Texture.— Leathery.  
         [0047]    [0047] Aspect.— Satiny.  
         [0048]    Size:  
         [0049]    [0049] Length.— Inner tepals to about 13.6 cm. Outer tepals to about 14.5 cm.  
         [0050]    [0050] Width.— Inner tepals to about 6.6 cm. Outer tepals to about 4 cm.  
         [0051]    [0051] Nectary.— Green (RHS 145B), about 4.5 cm along vein.  
         [0052]    [0052] Spots.— Orange-brown (RHS 171B) covering bottom one-third of tepal to halfway down nectary.  
         [0053]    [0053] Blush.— None.  
         [0054]    [0054] Color.— Outer tepals are Yellow (RHS 12D) with midrib Yellow (RHS 4D). The inner tepals are Yellow (RHS 12C) with midrib Yellow (RHS 4D).  
         [0055]    [0055] Fragrance.— Weak.  
         [0056]    [0056] Lasting Quality.— Excellent. Each flower lasts about 14 days, depending upon environmental variables.  
         [0057]    [0057] Orientation.— Ascending upwardly off the stem, the first flower to about a 40 degree angle, the last flower to about 90 degrees (horizontal).  
         [0058]    Pedicel:  
         [0059]    [0059] Length.— About 8 to 9.5 cm.  
         [0060]    [0060] Color.— Green (RHS 139C).  
         [0061]    Reproductive Organs:  
         [0062]    [0062] Stamens.— Number: Six, typical of the genus Lilium. Anthers before dehiscense: Length: To about 4.2 cm. from mature bud. Color: Orange-brown (RHS 166A).  
         [0063]    Filaments.—Length: To about 8.9 cm. Color: Yellow-green (RHS 145C).  
         [0064]    [0064] Pollen.— Color: Orange (RHS 168B).  
         [0065]    [0065] Pistil.— Number: One.  
         [0066]    [0066] Style.— Length: To about 8.3 cm. Color: Green (RHS 145C) on top half, bottom half Lighter Green (RHS 145C).  
         [0067]    [0067] Stigma.— Color: Dark Brown (RHS 200A).  
         [0068]    Fruit:  
         [0069]    [0069] Fertility.— The fruit is fertile.  
         [0070]    [0070] Shape.— Ovoid.  
         [0071]    [0071] Color at maturity.— Green (RHS 144B).