<i>Hibiscus </i>plant named ‘14-0704-02’

Abstract

A new and distinct Hibiscus plant having ruby-red colored flowers and a compact growth habit.

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of Hibiscus plant named ‘14-0704-02’, substantially as illustrated and described herein.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The accompanying photographic images illustrate the new variety at approximately one year of age, with the colors being as nearly true as is possible with color illustrations of this type:

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates a close-up view of a flower of the new variety; and

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates an entire plant of the new variety.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

(4) The following detailed description sets forth the characteristics of the new variety at one year of age. The plants were primarily grown in 2 gallon containers in cool season heated greenhouses with a minimum temperature of approximately 13° C. and about 30% light shade in the summer months. The color readings and measurements were taken in Grand Saline, Tex. indoors under fluorescent lights with natural light from a window nearby. Color references are primarily to The 1995 R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London, 3.sup.nd Edition, except where general color terms are used.

PLANT

(5) Time to initiate roots: About 12 days at an average of 24° C. Time to develop roots: About 50 days at an average of 21-24° C. Time to produce a finished flowering plant from a rooted cutting: About 12-16 weeks in a 1 gallon/20.0 cm diameter container. Specific disease/pest resistance: Resistance to whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum) and bacterial leaf spot (Pseudomonas cichorii). Heat/cold tolerance: Thrives above 13° C., but expires at temperatures of 0° C. and below. Drought tolerance: Moderate to none. Plant: Type.—Tropical, ornamental shrub. Habit.—Compact; upright; well-branched. Height.—50.8 cm from the top of the container to the top of the plant. Spread.—58.4 cm. Vigor.—High. Rooting.—Coarse and well-branched. Stem: Number per plant.—8. Length.—37.5-40.0 cm. Width.—0.6-1.3 cm. Texture.—Immature: Slightly coarse, but smooth. Mature: Very coarse with a heavy bark-like texture. Strength.—Moderately firm. Branch arrangement.—Alternate. Branch number.—27. Internode length.—2.5-4.3 cm. Color.—Immature: 144B. Mature: 200D. Stipules.—Number per node: 2. Shape: Spinose. Length: 9.0 mm. Width: 1.0 mm. Surface texture: Smooth. Apex: Acute. Base: Linear. Margin: Entire. Color: 143C. Foliage: Arrangement.—Alternate. Size of leaf.—Length: 9.8 cm. Width: 6.8 cm. Shape of leaf (generally).—Obovate. Shape of apex.—Acute. Shape of base.—Cordate. Texture.—Upper surface: Slick and waxy with a slight texture from venation. Lower surface: Relatively smooth with a heavier vein texture. Margin type.—Slightly serrated. Color.—Young leaves: Upper surface: 144A. Lower surface: 143A. Mature leaves: Upper surface: 137B. Lower surface: 146A. Veins.—Venation type: Palmate. Color: Upper surface: 137A. Lower surface: 138A. Petiole.—Length: 3.2 cm. Diameter: 3.0 mm. Texture: Smooth. Color: 143A.

FLOWERS

(6) Buds (described approximately 2 days from opening): Shape.—Oval. Diameter.—1.6 cm. Length.—4.1 cm. Color.—178B. Natural flowering season: Year round in Grand Saline, Tex. Flower type and habit: Single with slightly overlapping petals. Fragrance: None. Flowers: Number per stem.—1. Overall depth.—1.3 cm. Overall diameter.—12.1 cm. Shape.—Rotate. Lastingness.—1 day on the plant. Petals.—Number: 5. Arrangement: Simple. Length: 7.6 cm. Width: 5.7 cm. Shape: Ovate. Apex: Obtuse Base: Acute Margin: Entire. Texture/appearance: Upper surface: Very smooth and velvety. Lower surface: Smooth with venation texture. Color: Upper surface: 46B with a 187B eye. Lower surface: 45A. Fully opened: Upper surface: 51B. Lower surface: 181D. Calyx.—Form: Fused. Overall length: 3.0 cm. Overall diameter: 1.6 cm. Sepals/calyx lobes: Number: 5. Shape: Lanceolate. Apex: Acute. Margin: Entire. Texture: Slightly rough. Color: Outer surface: 144A. Inner surface: 146D. Epicalyx: Length.—12.0 mm. Width.—3.0 mm. Texture.—Very smooth inside and more textured outside. Color.—143B. Sepal-like bracts.—Not present. Bracts.—Not present. Peduncle.—Length: 11.0 mm. Diameter: 3.0 mm. Strength: Firm, with some flexibility. Angle: Acute. Texture: Slightly textured. Color: 144A. Reproductive organs: Gynoecium.—Pistils: Number: 1. Length: 8.3 cm. Stigma: Number: 5. Shape: Round. Length: 7.0 mm. Diameter: 6.0 mm. Color: 53A. Style: Length: 7.3 cm. Width: 4.0 mm. Color: 53B. Ovary: Shape: Ovate. Length: 12.0 mm. Width: 8.0 mm. Color: 4D. Androecium.—Stamens: Number: 84. Position: Below the stigma on the style. Anther: Shape: U-shaped. Diameter: 1.0 mm. Color: 14A. Filament: Length: 6.0 mm. Width: 1.0 mm. Color: 64A. Pollen: Color: 17B. Amount (generally): Abundant.

SEEDS

(7) Seeds: None produced.