<i>Osteospermum </i>plant named ‘DOSTLEMN’

Abstract

A new and distinct cultivar of Osteospermum plant named DOSTLEMN is disclosed, characterized by a trailing growth habit, light yellow flowers, good garden performance during summer and heat tolerance. The new variety is an Osteospermum, normally produced as an outdoor garden or container plant.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Osteospermum plant named DOSTLEMN as herein illustrated and described.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

(1) The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a typical plant of DOSTLEMN grown outdoors, in a 16 cm pot. Age of the plant photographed is approximately 14 weeks from a rooted cutting.

(2) FIG. 2 illustrates a close up of a typical flower.

(3) The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

(4) In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Mini Colour Chart 2001 except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe DOSTLEMN plants grown outdoors during the Summer in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel. The growing temperature ranged from 27 C. to 34 C. during the day and from 20 C. to 25 C. during the night. General light conditions are bright, normal sunlight. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types. Botanical classification: Osteospermum ecklonis DOSTLEMN.

PROPAGATION

(5) Typical method: Vegetative terminal cuttings. Time to rooting: 14 days at approximately 18-22 C.

PLANT

(6) Age of plant described: Approximately 100 days from a rooted cutting. Growth habit: Spreading. Height: Approximately 14 cm. Plant spread: Approximately 35 cm. Growth rate: Moderate growth rate. Branching characteristics: Freely branching. Length of lateral branches: Approximately 15 cm. Diameter of lateral branches: Approximately 0.5 cm. Texture of lateral branches: Glabrous. Internode length: Approximately 0.8 cm. Strength of lateral branches: Flexible. Color of lateral branches: Near RHS Yellow-Green 145C. Aspect/angle of branches: 30. Number of leaves per lateral branch: Approximately 70. Root description: Fibrous.

FOLIAGE

(7) Leaf: Arrangement.Opposite. Average length.Approximately 8 cm. Average width.Approximately 2.4 cm. Shape of blade.Spatulate. Apex.Acute. Base.Cuneate. Attachment.Absent. Margin.Serrate. Texture of top surface.Glabrous, leathery. Texture of bottom surface.Glabrous. Appearance top surface.Shiny. Appearance bottom surface.Matte. Leaf internode length.Approximately 0.3 cm. Variegation.None. Color.Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 137A. Young foliage under side: Near RHS Green 137D. Mature foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 137A. Mature foliage under side: Near RHS Green 137A. Venation.Type: Parallel, only the main vein is visible. Venation color upper side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 144B. Venation color under side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 144C. Petiole: Absent.

FLOWER

(8) Bud: Bud shape.Oblate Bud length.Approximately 1 cm. Bud diameter.Approximately 1 cm. Bud color.Near RHS Yellow-Green 146B. Inflorescence: Form.Daisy-type inflorescence form with oblanceolate-shaped ray florets. Inflorescences positioned above and beyond the foliage; inflorescences terminal and axillary. Disc and ray florets developing acropetally on a capitulum. Inflorescences face mostly upright to outward. Paracorolla.Absent. Flower: Diameter of entire flower.Approximately 7 cm. Depth of flower.Approximately 0.2 cm. Width of disc.Approximately 1.1 cm. Depth of disc.Approximately 0.5 cm. Receptacle diameter.1.2 cm. Receptacle height.1 cm. Ray florets: Number of ray florets.Average 26. Length.Approximately 3.6 cm. Width.Approximately 1 cm. Apex shape.Emarginate. Margin.Entire. Inward rolling of longitudinal margins.Absent all flower heads. Color: Ray florets.Upper surface at first opening: Near RHS Yellow 8C. Upper surface at maturity: Near RHS Yellow 8D. Under surface at fading: Near RHS Yellow 11A. Under surface at first opening: Near RHS Yellow 7C. Under surface at maturity: Near RHS Yellow 10B. Under surface at fading: Near RHS Yellow 10C. Disc florets.Number of Disc Florets: 125. Length: Approximately 0.7 cm. Width: Approximately 0.1 cm. Shape: Bell-shaped campanulate. Margin: Entire. At first opening: Near RHS Yellow 7A. At maturity: Near RHS Yellow 12A. Fragrance: None. Phyllaries: Number.Approximately 20. Length.Approximately 1 cm. Width.Approximately 0.2 cm. Shape.Ligulate. Texture.Leathery. Apex shape.Acute. Margin.Entire. Color.Near RHS Green 137C. Peduncle: Peduncle length.Approximately 3 cm. Peduncle diameter.Approximately 0.2 cm. Angle.Approximately 0 from center of whorl. Color.Near RHS Yellow-Green 146C. Peduncle texture.Pubescent.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

(9) Disc florets: Androecium: Stamens.90 to 100. Anther shape.Elliptical. Anther length.Approximately 1 cm. Anther color.Near RHS Violet-Blue 92A. Pollen quantity.Abundant. Pollen color.Near RHS Yellow-Orange 15B. Gynoecium: Pistils in disc flowers are degenerated and non-functional. Ray florets: Androecium. Stamens.Stamens in ray florets are degenerated and non-functional. Gynoecium: Pistil number.26. Pistil shape.Needle shape. Pistil length.Approx. 0.2 cm. Style length.Approx. 0.1 cm. Style color.Near RHS Purple 79A. Stigma shape.Bipartite. Stigma color.Near RHS Greyed-Orange 177A. Ovary diameter.0.1 cm. Ovary color.Near RHS Yellow-Green 150B.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

(10) Disease resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to normal diseases and pests of Osteospermum have been observed. Typical diseases of Osteospermum include: Botrytis, Pythium, Phytopthera, Rhizoctonia. Typical pests found in Osteospermum include various species of Aphid, Fungus Gnats and Thrips. Drought tolerance: No drought tolerance. Temperature tolerance: Good tolerance for heat, to at least 40 C. Frost sensitive. Fruit/seed production: Seed set has been observed. Shape.Elliptic. Color.Near RHS Brown 200C. Size.Length: 0.6 cm. Diameter: 0.15 cm.