Hibiscus Plant Called 'DUP-BPP40

Abstract

A new and distinct cultivar of hibiscus plant named ‘DUP-BPP’, characterized by glossy, dark green leaves, a large, medium-textured flower characterized by a medium-sized, semi-glossy currant red eye which extends approximately one third of petal length, the eye grading into a yellow-toned red zone which extends to the petal edge. Veins are prominent, pinkish-white, radiating out of the eye to two thirds the petal length.

Claims

1. A new and distinct hibiscus plant named ‘DUP-BPP’, either grafted or on its own roots, as illustrated and described.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH(S)

[0023] The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new hibiscus, showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type.

[0024] The photograph on the first sheet (FIG. 1) depicts a first day flower of ‘DUP-BPP’.

[0025] The photograph on the second sheet (FIG. 2) is a view of the reverse of the bloom.

[0026] The photograph on the third sheet (FIG. 3) depicts a flower profile which demonstrates the relative proportions of the pistil and bloom diameter. The calyx is clearly visible.

[0027] The photograph on the fourth sheet (FIG. 4) depicts one plant in a standard 10-inch nursery pot. (age of plant about 7 months)

[0028] The photograph on the fifth sheet (FIG. 5) depicts a mature leaf.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

[0029] In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, Edition V, version 2, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations, measurements, and values describe plants grown in Plaquemine, La., in a standard one-gallon nursery pot. Plants used for the description and depicted in the photographs were about 26 weeks old. [0030] Botanical classification: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis. [0031] Parentage: [0032] Female or seed parent.—Unknown. [0033] Male or pollen parent.—Cinnamon Seas (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 29,280). [0034] Propagation: [0035] Type.—‘DUP-BPP’ has been propagated by taking hardwood, semi-hardwood and tip cuttings, with semi-hardwood preferred. It should be noted that many methods of asexual propagation, such as tissue culture and other cloning processes, can be expected to show some degree of success in the propagation of the present cultivar. However, of the methods tried by the Inventor, the use of semi-hardwood cutting has given the greatest yield of commercially salable plants. Asexual propagation has resulted in plants which have the flower and plant characteristics of the original ‘DUP-BPP’ plant, and thus the variety is stable. Cuttings from ‘DUP-BPP’ generally root well under commercial greenhouse conditions. While greenhouse conditions such as relative humidity and other factors such as cutting age prior to planting affect the take, it is not unusual to get a take of almost 100%. Please note that as successive generations of cuttings are raised, the raiser may experience a drop in take due to the incorporation of virus, particularly if at some point grafted plants are prepared, and cuttings are taken from such a plant. [0036] Time to initiate roots.—An average time of initiation at approximately 72° F. is approximately six weeks, with slightly longer times during winter at comparable temperatures, and slightly shorter times during summer at comparable temperatures. [0037] Time to develop roots.—An average time, at approximately 72° F., of development of a root system after initiation, is approximately six weeks, with slightly longer times during winter at comparable temperatures, and slightly shorter times during summer at comparable temperatures. It should be noted that root initiation and development can be affected by greenhouse conditions, biological stressors such as disease organisms, as well as environmental stressors such as low or variant relative humidity, over- and under-watering, temperature variations or high or low constant temperatures. Thus, rooting times can be shorter or longer than the times given above depending on the values of many different characteristics during the rooting process known in the art. [0038] Root description.—Fibrous and well-branched. [0039] Plant description: [0040] Plant form and growth habits.—Perennial evergreen having semi-upright growth. The growth habit is generally compact. As recognized by one of skill in the art, intermodal distance can be dependent upon greenhouse temperature/time profile, fertilizer availability profile, and other factors. [0041] Branching habit.—Moderately well-branched, developing approximately 3-4 laterals, generally at uppermost nodes, when a single stem plant is pinched back to a 5 inch height. Nodes are generally closer together than most other exotics, such as, for example, those specifically mentioned above. [0042] Plant height, soil level to top of flowers.—A saleable plant in a standard one-gallon nursery pot can be approximately 17 inches high and 21 inches wide. Please note that cultural variables such as those mentioned under “Plant form and growth habits,” above, among others, can cause significant variation from the values given herein. [0043] Lateral branch description.—The average branch characteristics of a salable plant grown in a standard one-gallon nursery pot: Average Length: Approximately 12.5″. Average Diameter: Approximately 0.3″ measured at the transition from green to woody stem texture. Texture: Immature: Smooth. Mature: Rough. Mature branch color: 148D. Immature branch color: 147A. [0044] Mature foliage description: [0045] Arrangement.—Alternate, single, numerous, symmetrical. [0046] Length.—Approximately 5.9″. [0047] Width.—Approximately 5.5″. [0048] Shape.—Strongly cordate. [0049] Apex.—Acute. [0050] Margin.—Entire at base, but crenate as foliage narrows toward apex. Undulates broadly, undulations tend to be asymmetrical. [0051] Upper surface texture.—Glabrous, rugose. [0052] Lower surface texture.—Scabrous. [0053] Color.—Young foliage, upper surface: More green than 140A; glossy. Mature foliage, upper surface: Generally darker than 140A; glossy. [0054] Petiole.—Average Length: 1.7″. Average Diameter: 16″.Texture: upper surface generally smooth, but may show fine pubescence; lower surface, glabrous. Venation: Palmate; color 140A. Petiole Color: 140A.

[0055] It should be noted that as with other plant growth characteristics, foliage color and size can vary with nutrient availability, greenhouse temperature, day length, and other conditions of culture. [0056] Flower description: [0057] Natural flowering season.—Year round, with number and size reduction in extended periods of cold weather, such as daytime temperatures of less than 60° F. Extreme heat can slow growth and flower production. [0058] Flower arrangement.—Flowers arranged singly at terminal leaf axils. Free-flowering, particularly with age, usually three to four developing flower buds per lateral branch, flowers generally face upward or outward. [0059] Flower appearance.—Large single bloom. Flowers are open for one to two days before senescence, which is often accompanied by partial or full petal closure. Flowers persistent for roughly one to two days after closing. [0060] Flower diameter.—‘DUP-BPP’ flowers are generally in the range of from about 7.0″ to 9.5″ when fully open, with largest flowers produced during warm weather (for example, day and night time temperatures above 73° F.). [0061] Flower depth.—Flower depth was measured to average approximately 1.2″. Flower depth was measured after removal of a petal and a sepal to expose the base of the pistil. The measurement was taken on a fully opened flower in the direction of the pistil, from the base of the ovaries to the maximum height of the flower petal. The depth was measured by using the point of recurvature of the petal whorl. It should be noted that outermost whorl of hibiscus blossoms can flatten out during the day, or increase or decrease in curvature or degree of petal reflex during the day, and thus variance from the foregoing value is possible. [0062] Flower bud (just before showing color).—Rate of opening: generally by morning. Rate of opening is generally faster in warmer weather. Flower bud dimensions were measured on a bud which was approximately one day from opening. Bud length was measured from the tip of the bud to the abscission zone where bud and peduncle meet. The average length of a bud which is one day from opening is approximately 2.8″. Bud diameter was measured at the widest part of the bud, an area approximately halfway up the outside of the developing petals. The average diameter of a bud which is one day from opening is approximately 1.4″. It should be noted that bud dimensions can vary somewhat with cultural conditions, and variations can even be observed in buds which are at the same stage of development. Shape: Roughly acuminate to ovate. [0063] Petals.—. [0064] Upper surface texture.—Smooth, satiny, rugose. [0065] Lower surface texture.—Smooth, rugose. Arrangement: The corolla consists of five petals arranged in a whorl, having regular partial overlap, even when the flower is fully open. Shape of a petal: Roughly spatulate, with a rounded apex and a truncate base. The margin of each petal is undulate and entire, such that the margin of the flower appears to be undulate, and the overlap is such that the flower margin appears circular. A representative petal length on a flower having a diameter of 8.9 inches was measured to be about 4.7″, and was taken from the base of the petal to the farthest point on the margin opposite the base. A representative width is 5.0″, and was measured perpendicularly to the pistil at the widest point of the petal. Petal size can vary with cultural conditions, such as temperature, and thus the flower size and shape can vary as well. Often, flowers which are produced at colder temperatures are smaller and appear more fully overlapped, giving almost a wheel-shaped appearance. When fully open, the edges of ‘DUP-BPP’ flowers can be recurved. The color of a warm weather flower is described below. It has been observed that variations in temperature can effect the stronger or weaker expression of certain pigments, changing the balance of color, and thus variations in color intensity and pattern can occur with temperature. Cold weather may intensify pink coloration. It should be noted that the colors of hibiscus are among the most changeable of all flowers. A newly opening morning bloom generally has the most intense coloration, but as the flower flattens out and is exposed to the sun, many pigments begin to fade immediately, resulting in a flower which can look like a different variety altogether. The bloom of ‘DUP BPP’ fades much less than the blooms of most other varieties. In general, when exposed to strong sun, the body outside the eye zone generally fades very little by mid-day. The morning colors are described below. Color: Upper surface: A large, medium-textured flower characterized by a medium-sized, semi-glossy 46B eye which extends approximately one third of petal length, the eye grading into a yellow-toned red (33A) zone which extends to the petal edge. Veins are prominent, pinkish-white (69D), radiating out of the eye to two thirds the petal length. Lower surface: Uniform 23C, shading to 31B on overlapping side of petal. [0066] Sepals.—Unlike the petals, sepals are relatively invariant in color. Their size can be affected by the same cultural conditions which affect flower size. They are generally smooth and elongated oblong with acute apices (pointed tips). They are fused at the long edges into a cupped calyx bearing at its brim the five pointed tips. When the petals of the flower spread open, the five pointed tips, which are flush with the backs of the opening petals, are forced into a radiating five point star-shaped configuration, which can be observed on the profile and reverse pictures. A representative width, which is measured perpendicularly to the long axis of the sepal at the position on the sepal at which the oblong edges transition from fused to unfused, approximately 0.7″. A representative length, measured on the sepal from the free point to the fused point is approximately 1.4″. Color: Upper surface: Close to 146A. Lower surface: Close to 147A. [0067] Peduncle.—Length: 3.6″. Color: 140A. Angle: Approximately 45 degrees from branch. Strength: Strong, flexible. Texture: Smooth. [0068] Reproductive organs.—Androecium: Stamen number: Approximately 110. Anther shape: Crescent. Anther color: 8D. Amount of pollen: Moderate. Pollen color: 5C. Gynoecium: Pistil number: 1. Pistil length (from base of ovaries to top of stigma): 3.3″. Style length (from base of ovaries to stigma branching point): 2.8″. Style diameter, at base: 0.5″. Style color: Base: 46B. Midsection: 46B. Apex:8D. Stigma number: 5. Stigma color: 44B. The epicalyx is situated below the calyx and bears an average of about 6 to about 9 slender projections, although sometimes more or less, which are shorter than the tepals, and which radiate from a common point. The color is approximately 140A. It should be noted that the dimensions of a hibiscus blossom generally change not only during bud development, but also during opening, as well as during the life of the opened flower. For instance, upon opening, the petals generally gain in length. Furthermore, after opening, the pistil continues to grow in length while the anther filaments which hold the pollen sacs increase in length, the pollen sacs open and the stigmas separate, each at the tip of a branched style structure. Toward the end of the flower life, possibly due to a reduction in turgor pressure, the pistil may shrink in length and the petals may slightly decrease in area. Usually, the senescing petals of the flower fold toward the pistil to some degree, in some cases, completely enfolding it. In Baton Rouge, and likely, all locations, seed pods are generally not produced unless the flower is hand pollinated, regardless of whether the plant is outside or in the greenhouse. Even if hand pollinated, the “take” depends upon the pollen parent, with cooler periods of the year (Fall, Spring) giving the greatest probability of success. Under most conditions and care regimens, the formation of a seed pod is unlikely, even if hand pollinated, but it can occur. In general, the rosa-sinensis seed pod is a five-chambered okra-type fruit with the long seed chambers disposed along the main axis of the flower. Up to about 50 viable seeds can be produced, but the typical yield is usually about 15 or fewer. [0069] Disease resistance: ‘DUP-BPP ’ has not been observed to be resistant to pathogens common in hibiscus. However, it has been observed in the green house to have a higher resistance to root rot than that of many existing hybrid varieties grown on their own roots. If desired, and if the risk of virus infection is of no concern, the present variety can be grafted onto a rootstock and be grown as a grafted plant.