Strawberry plant named 'Lady Emma'

Abstract

A new and distinct strawberry plant is provided which exhibits a compact growth habit, large and glossy fruits with a consistent conic shape, and strong remontant behavior.

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant, as is herein illustrated and described.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The accompanying photographic drawings illustrate the new variety at approximately 9 months of age, with the color being as nearly true as is possible with color illustrations of this type. 015-016 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is shorthand for the Applicant's internal alphanumeric designation of RD015-016-2012 for Lady Emma. It should be noted that colors may vary with growing conditions and time of year:

[0014] FIG. 1 is a photograph of multiple fruits of the new variety;

[0015] FIG. 2 is a photograph of whole and halved fruits of the new variety;

[0016] FIG. 3 is a photograph of an entire plant of the new variety; and

[0017] FIG. 4 is a photograph of multiple plants of the new variety.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

[0018] The following detailed description sets forth the characteristics of the new cultivar. The new variety was grown under glasshouse protection in 2 liter containers in Llandow, the United Kingdom with an average day temperature of 18 C. and an average night temperature of 12 C. The new variety was approximately 9 months of age when described. Color references are primarily to the Sixth Edition (2015) of the R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London and were identified under natural light.

PLANT:

[0019] Time to initiate roots: 48 hours at an average temperature of 20 C. [0020] Time to produce a rooted plant.30 days at an average temperature of 20 C. [0021] Rooting habit.Reasonably vigorous. [0022] Stolons.Few present, with no anthocyanin coloration and moderate pubescence. [0023] Plant form.Compact and partially mounded. [0024] Height (from soil to top of plant).Typically from 20-25 cm. [0025] Plant diameter.35-45 cm. [0026] Vigor.Moderate. [0027] Disease/pest resistance.Resistant to powdery mildew and crown rot. Petioles are potentially susceptible to Botrytis cinerea (grey mold), depending on growing conditions. [0028] Weather tolerance.Plants perform best in a protected environment, but do exhibit high temperature tolerance. [0029] Foliage: [0030] Arrangement.Basal rosette; upwardly facing. [0031] Average number of leaves per plant.7-14. [0032] Number of leaflets per leaf.Generally 3. [0033] Whole leaf length.17-30 cm. [0034] Whole leaf width.13-16 cm. [0035] Leaf blistering.Weak. [0036] Leaf glossiness.Moderate. [0037] Inflorescence position.Same level as foliage. [0038] Petiole.Length: 13-21 cm. Diameter: 2.3-3.1 mm. Color: RHS 145A Texture: Pubescence outwardly/laterally facing, [0039] Stipule.Average number per leaf: Usually 2-3. Length: 2-3 cm. Width: 7.2 mm. Color: Absent or very weak pigmentation that is close to RHS 145D. [0040] Color.Young leaflets: Upper surface: Close to RHS 144A. Lower surface: Close to RHS 144B. Mature leaflets: Upper surface: RHS 137A. Lower surface: RHS 138B. [0041] Lateral leaflets.Length: 6-8 cm. Width: 6-8 cm. Shape of leaf (generally): Typically orbicular, basally asymmetrical, cross-sectionally concave. Shape of apex: Obtuse. Shape of base: Between acute and obtuse. Texture (both surfaces): Light covering of pubescence present. Aspect: Upright. Margin type: Crenate. [0042] Terminal leaflets.Length: 7-9 cm. Width: 6-8 cm. Shape of leaf (generally): Orbicular to rounded, cross-sectionally concave. Shape of apex: Rounded/obtuse. Shape of base: Acute. Texture (both surfaces): Light covering of pubescence present. Aspect: Upright. Margin type: Crenate. [0043] Veins.Venation pattern: Pinnate. Color: Upper surface: RHS 144D. Lower surface: Between RHS 145C and 145D. [0044] Fruit: [0045] Harvest season.From May-December in Herefordshire, United Kingdom. [0046] Plant temperature tolerance.From 3 C. to +38 C. [0047] Shipping quality.Able to be shipped via refrigerated transport (+4 C.). [0048] Fruit storage life.Up to 7 days post-harvest. [0049] Use.Primarily fresh market. [0050] Productivity (total fruit weight per plant).2.4 Kg per plant. [0051] Number of fruit per fruiting lateral.4-8. [0052] Surface color.Immature: RHS 150D. Maturing: RHS 32B. Fully mature: RHS 44B. Evenness of color: Typically ripens darker on side directly facing light source. [0053] Taste.Good. [0054] Aroma.Faintly fruity and sometimes absent. [0055] Length.2.8-5.1 cm. [0056] Width.2.6-3.9 cm. [0057] Length/width ratio.Longer than wide. [0058] Overall shape.Conic. [0059] Glossiness.Strong. [0060] Evenness of fruit surface.Even. [0061] Weight.Average of 19 g. [0062] Achene position.Beneath surface level. [0063] Achene color.From RHS 11A to RHS 171B. [0064] Average number of achenes per berry.340. [0065] Width of band without achenes at the top of the fruit/just below the calyx.5.9-8.0 mm. [0066] Attachment of calyx to the fruit.Slightly raised. [0067] Sepal attitude.Upwards. [0068] Flesh firmness.Medium to firm. [0069] Flesh color (not including fruit core).Close to RHS 33A. [0070] Fruit core color.Close to RHS 44A. [0071] Cavity size.Small. [0072] Fruiting truss length.18-28 cm. [0073] Fruiting truss diameter.2-4 mm. [0074] Fruiting truss color.RHS 145A. [0075] Brix reading.Average of 9.4. [0076] Acidity level.Average of 0.64. [0077] Reproductive organs: [0078] Stamens.Number per flower: 19-21. Length: 2.1-3.9 mm. Width: 1.0-1.4 mm. [0079] Anthers.Apex shape: Rounded. Base Shape: Cordate. Length: 1.6-2.0 mm. Width: 1.2-1.4 mm. Color: Edge: Close to RHS 20A. Center: Close to RHS 7A. [0080] Stigma.Texture: Lightly papillose. Shape: Rounded to ovate. Color: Close to RHS 152C. [0081] Style.Length: About 1.8 mm. Color: RHS 4A. [0082] Ovary.Texture: Pubescence present. Length: About 0.6 mm. Color: With seed: RHS 150C. Without seed: RHS 150B. [0083] Stolon.Length: Mother plant to first stolon-plant: 33-38 cm. Mother plant to second stolon-plant: 67-85 cm. Diameter: 0.3-0.5 cm. Color: Between RHS 144D and RHS 145A. [0084] Flowers: [0085] Natural flowering season.From April-November in Herefordshire, the United Kingdom. [0086] Number of flowers per plant.30-45. [0087] Fragrance.None present. [0088] Longevity.4-5 days. [0089] Flower description.Rotate flowers arranged singly at lateral apices that are cupped slightly upwards and with little to no overlap of petals. [0090] Flower height.7-10 mm. [0091] Flower diameter.1.8-2.4 mm. [0092] Petals.Number per flower: 5. Shape: Globose to obovate at base. Length: 9.0-10.5 mm. Width: 8-9 mm. Apex: Rounded. Base: Acute point. Margin: Entire. Texture (both surfaces): Smooth, with no pubescence present. Color: Mature petal: Upper surface: RHS NN155D. Lower surface: RHS NN155D (can accumulate anthocyanin close to RHS 67A on apex lower surface under certain growing conditions). Young petal: Upper surface: RHS 155C. Lower surface: RHS 155C. [0093] Sepals.Number per flower: 10. Length: 7-10 mm. Width: 3 mm. Shape: Lanceolate with typically a single point; can be multi-pointed on primary flowers. Number: 10. Apex: Acute. Margin: Typically entire; occasionally exhibits a serrated tip predominantly on primary flowers. Texture: Pubescence present on both upper and lower surfaces. Color: Mature sepal: Upper surface: Close to RHS 137A. Lower surface: Close to RHS 138B. Young sepal: Upper surface: Close to RHS 143A. Lower surface: Close to RHS 143C. [0094] Buds.Length: 9-10 mm. Diameter: 6-7 mm. Shape: Longer than broader. Color: RHS 145A.