<i>Rhododendron </i>plant named ‘Kurachiffon’

Abstract

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of plant named Kurachiffon. The variety is botanically identified as Rhododendron hybrid. The new variety is distinguished from other varieties by a number of properties, including but not limited to, corolla lobe color.

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of Rhododendron hybrid plant, substantially as shown and described.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The accompanying photographs show typical specimens of the new variety, including foliage and flowers, in color as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make in color illustrations of these characteristics.

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates the upper side of the flowers and the plant;

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates a full view of the cultivation area showing the leaves of the plant;

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates a close-up of the flower;

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates a close-up of the dissected flower; and

(6) FIG. 5 illustrates, for comparison, the upper side of the flowers and the plant of Mrs. Fujii.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

(7) The following detailed description of the new variety is based upon observations taken of plants grown in Anoucho, Tsu-shi, Mie-ken, Japan. Observations of Kurachiffon were taken during the 2015 growing season.

(8) In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.) Color Chart, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. Botanical classification: Rhododendrun hybrid. Principle use: Flowering shrub for potted plant and open-field cultivation. Parentage: The female parent is Stardust, and the male parent Pink Ice. Propagation: The new variety was propagated using tissue cultures from plants potted in greenhouse facilities in Anoucho, Tsu-shi, Mie-ken, Japan. Growth points were collected from lateral buds of shoots, and cultivation and growth were performed without using calli. Plant: Size.At 3 years of age, plants of the new variety commonly exhibit a height of about 40-50 cm and a width of about 30 cm. Habit.Vigorous and compact. Foliage: Arrangement.Foliage arrangements are pseudoverticillate or false verticillate, appearing whorled or verticillate, but not actually so. Type.Evergreen flowering shrub, simple lanceolate leaves with an obtuse leaf base, oblong body, acute apex, and entire margins. The upper surfaces of the leaves appear semi-glossy, and the bottom surfaces of the leaves appear matte. Venation.Leaves have a netted (reticulate) venation pattern. R.H.S. color chart 136D on the upper surface of the leaves, and R.H.S. color chart 150C on the bottom surface. Size.Mature leaves growing midway up the stem commonly are approximately 11 cm in length and approximately 4.5 cm in width. Color.R.H.S. color chart 137A on the upper surface, and R.H.S. color chart 143C on the under surface. Petioles: Size.1.5 cm in length, and 3.0 millimeters (mm) in diameter. Texture.Rough with bristles. Color.R.H.S. color chart 58B. Branches: Size.Mature lateral branches (one-year old wood) are 1.0 meter (m) in length and 7.0 mm in diameter. Internode length.Mature lateral branches (one year old wood) have a 1.0 cm internode length. Texture.Mature lateral branches (one year old wood) are rough with bristles. Color.Mature lateral branches (one-year old wood) R.H.S. color chart 143C. Peduncles: Size.Approximately 2.0 cm in length and 2.5 mm in diameter. Color.R.H.S. color chart 138B. Petals: Shape.Petals are generally wavy with a connected base and sharply pointed apex. Size.Approximately 5.0 cm in length and 3.0 cm in width. Texture.Both surfaces of the petals are generally smooth. Sepals: None. Flowers: Period.Blooms approximately April 15 in the evening when cultured at Anoucho, Tsu-shi, Mie-ken, Japan. Appearance.Corymb. Arrangement.Spheroidal. Truss shape.Generally a sphere. Truss size.Approximately 15 cm diameter, and approximately 15 cm in height. Corolla per truss.Approximately 20. Corolla shape.Open funnel shape. Corolla size.Approximately 6 cm in length, 6 cm in width, and 5 cm in thickness. Number of lobes.Five lobes per floret. Margin of lobes.Wavy to frilly. Fragrance.None. Calyx size.Approximately 2 millimeters (mm) in length. Flower bud shape.Lacrimoid. Flower bud size.Approximately 4.0 mm in length and 2.5 cm in diameter. Flower bud color.R.H.S. color chart NN74B. Flower color.Two colors on the surfaces of the corolla lobe, with the same color on both the upper and lower surfaces. The principle color on the surfaces of the corolla lobe is light reddish purple (R.H.S. color chart N75A). The secondary color on the surfaces of the corolla lobe is very pale purple (R.H.S. color chart 76C). Weak, independent spots (R.H.S. color chart N74B) are present on the throat of the corolla lobe. Longevity.10 days. Reproductive organs: Stamen number.10. Filament length.Approximately 3.5 cm. Filament color.R.H.S. color chart 76C. Anther shape.Barrel shaped. Anther length.Approximately 2.0 mm. Anther color.R.H.S. color chart 155A. Pollen amount and color.High pollen count and R.H.S. color chart 155A. Pistil length.Approximately 3.0 cm. Stigma shape.Captiform. Stigma color.R.H.S. color chart 160A. Style length.Approximately 2.5 cm. Style color.R.H.S. color chart 157D. Ovary color.R.H.S. color chart 189A. Winter hardiness: Has survived winters with temperatures as low as 3 C. in Anoucho, Tsu-shi, Mie-ken, Japan. Disease resistance: During observations to date, the foliage has been disease resistant. Although generally, Rhododendron hybrid plants are prone to root rot disease, which tends to occur in high temperatures, Kurachiffon is resistant to root rot because it is resistant to high temperatures. Successive generations: Reproduces true to type in successive generations as set forth above.