Geranium plant named 'MACGER002'

Abstract

MACGER002 is a new and distinctive variety of Geranium maculatum plant which is characterized by long-lasting, dark brown foliage and dark pink flowers with small white floral eye. The new variety propagates successfully by stem cuttings and tissue culture and has shown to be uniform and stable in the resulting generations from asexual propagation.

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of Geranium maculatum plant named MACGER002, substantially as described and illustrated herein.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0010] FIG. 1 shows, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color illustrations of this type, an exemplary plant of MACGER002 grown in a commercial greenhouse in Kirkcudbright, Scotland. This plant is approximately 1-year-old, shown planted in a 17 cm container.

[0011] FIG. 2 shows, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color illustrations of this type; the typical mature foliage of MACGER002.

[0012] FIG. 3 shows, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color illustrations of this type, the typical flower of MACGER002.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

[0013] The following is a detailed botanical description of a new and distinct variety of Geranium plant known as MACGER002, based upon observations of 12-month-old plants grown in 17 cm nursery containers in Kirkcudbright, Scotland. Plants were grown in a vented, unheated greenhouse with partial shade exposure. Plants were manually watered as needed and fertilized with a slow-release granular fertilizer which was incorporated into the growing media. No chemical pest treatments were given to the plants. Observation data was recorded in May of 2022.

[0014] A botanical description of MACGER002 and comparisons with the parents and most similar variety of common knowledge are provided below. [0015] General plant description: [0016] Growth habit.Broad-spreading herbaceous perennial with flowering stems arising from the base, and inflorescence held above the foliar plane. [0017] Plant profile.Globular. [0018] Height.34.5 cm to the top of the foliar plane; 42.3 cm to the top of the floral plane. [0019] Spread.44.0 cm. [0020] Plant vigor.Very vigorous. [0021] Growth rate.Fast growing. [0022] Propagation.Method Meristematic tissue culture. Time to initiate rooting Approximately 10 to 14 days at an average ambient temperature of 22 degrees Celsius. Time to produce flowering plant from rooted cutting Approximately 4 months in a 15 cm container. [0023] Pest resistance and susceptibility.Plants have not been observed to be any more or less susceptible or resistant to pathogens and pests known to affect Geranium sp. [0024] Environmental tolerances.Adapt to, at least, USDA Zones 5 to 9 and temperatures ranging from minus 23 degrees Celsius to 35 degrees Celsius; moderate tolerance to rain; moderate tolerance to wind. [0025] Root system: [0026] Description.A moderately dense network slightly fleshy, non-fibrous lateral roots. [0027] Rooting habit.Moderately branched and evenly distributed throughout the soil profile. [0028] Root diameter.2.0 mm at the base, on average. [0029] Texture.Smooth; glabrous. [0030] Color.Greyed-orange, nearest to RHS 1656. [0031] Stem: [0032] Branching habit.Basally and laterally branched; moderately free branching. [0033] Number of primary (main) stems per plant.6. [0034] Number of secondary (lateral) branches per plant.6. [0035] Attitude.Upright and slightly outward, at an average angle of 20 degrees from vertical. [0036] Aspect.Rounded. [0037] Length.33.1 cm. [0038] Diameter.0.3 cm. [0039] Internode length.16.4 cm. [0040] Texture.Sparsely covered with short, glandular hairs; hairs are colored white, nearest to RHS N155A, and are 0.6 mm long, on average. [0041] Luster.Moderately glossy. [0042] Strength.Moderately strong. [0043] Color, juvenile.Greyed-purple, nearest to RHS 187C. [0044] Color, mature.Greyed-red, nearest to RHS 178A; stem surfaces that are shielded from ultraviolet light are greyed-orange, nearest to RHS 177B. [0045] Color at internodes.Greyed-orange, nearest to RHS 177B, and strongly suffused with greyed-purple, nearest to RHS 184B. [0046] Foliage: [0047] Arrangement.Leaves are borne both basally and on stems; basal leaf arrangement is alternate and leaves on stems are arranged oppositely. [0048] Basal leaves.Attachment Petiolate. Division Simple. Quantity An average of 6 leaves per stem. Leaf shape Deeply palmate, with an average of five deeply cleft lobes, occasionally seven, and a reniform to near orbicular profile. Lobes Depth of sinuses Deep. Sinus orientation Convergent. Dimensions 10.2 cm long, excluding the petiole, and 11.7 cm wide. Leaf attitude Outward, at an average angle of 80 degrees to the stem. Leaf apex Acute. Leaf base Hastate with basal lobes free. Leaf margin Coarsely serrate. Texture, adaxial and abaxial surfaces Slightly rugose; pubescent. Pubescence, adaxial surface Sparsely to moderately covered with short hairs with an average length of 0.3 mm; colored greyed-white, nearest to RHS 156D. Pubescence, abaxial surface Sparsely to moderately covered with short hairs, particularly along the veins, with an average length of 0.2 mm; colored greyed-white, nearest to RHS 156D. Luster, adaxial surface Very slightly glossy. Luster, abaxial surface Slightly glossy. Color Juvenile foliage color, adaxial surface Nearest to a mixture of greyed-brown and brown, RHS 166A and 200B yet closest to 200B. Juvenile foliage color, abaxial surface Greyed-orange, nearest to RHS 166A. Mature leaf color, adaxial surface Brown, nearest to RHS 200A, and fading lighter towards the apex, nearest to RHS 200B. Mature leaf color, abaxial surface Nearest to a mixture of greyed-brown and brown, RHS N199B and 200C. Venation Type Palmate. Vein color, adaxial surface Brown, nearest to RHS 200A. Vein color, abaxial surface Yellow-green, nearest to RHS N148A. Petiole Length 18.9 cm. Diameter 0.225 cm. Strength Strong. Texture, adaxial and abaxial surfaces Moderately covered with soft hairs; average length of hairs is 0.05 cm; colored white, nearest to RHS N155A. Luster, adaxial and abaxial surfaces Slightly glossy. Color, adaxial surface Greyed-brown, nearest to RHS 199B, and fading to greyed-purple, distally, nearest to RHS 187C. Color, abaxial surface Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 152A, and suffused with greyed-purple, distally, nearest to RHS 183B. Stipules General Two leafy stipules present at the base of each leaf. Shape Lanceolate. Length 0.5 cm. Diameter 0.15 cm. Apex Acuminate. Base Broad cuneate. Margins Serrate. Texture, adaxial and abaxial surfaces Slightly to moderately pubescent. Luster, adaxial and abaxial surfaces Slightly glossy. Color, adaxial surface Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 150D, and tipped brown, nearest to RHS 200B. Color, abaxial surface Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 150D, and tipped brown, nearest to RHS 2006. [0049] Leaves borne on the stems.Quantity Approximately 6 leaves per stem. Attachment Petiolate. Division Simple. Leaf shape Deeply palmate, with an average of five deeply cleft lobes, occasionally seven, and a reniform to near orbicular profile. Lobes Depth of sinuses Deep. Sinus orientation Convergent. Dimensions 7.0 cm long, excluding the petiole, and 9.0 cm wide. Leaf attitude Leaves in an average angle of 80 degrees to the stem. Leaf apex Acute. Leaf base Hastate with basal lobes free. Leaf margin Coarsely serrate. Texture, adaxial and abaxial surfaces Slightly rugose; pubescent. Pubescence, adaxial surface Sparsely to moderately covered with short hairs with an average length of 0.3 mm; colored greyed-white, nearest to RHS 156D. Pubescence, abaxial surface Sparsely to moderately covered with short hairs, particularly along the veins, with an average length of 0.2 mm; colored greyed-white, nearest to RHS 156D. Luster, adaxial surface Very slightly glossy. Luster, abaxial surface Slightly glossy. Color Juvenile foliage color, adaxial surface Nearest to a mixture of greyed-brown and brown, RHS 166A and 200B yet closest to 200B. Juvenile foliage color, abaxial surface Greyed-orange, nearest to RHS 166A. Mature leaf color, adaxial surface Brown, nearest to RHS 200A, and fading lighter towards the apex, nearest to RHS 200B. Mature leaf color, abaxial surface Nearest to a mixture of greyed-brown and brown, RHS N199B and 200C. Venation Type Palmate. Vein color, adaxial surface Brown, nearest to RHS 200A. Vein color, abaxial surface Yellow-green, nearest to RHS N148A. Petiole Length 1.6cm. Diameter 0.15 cm. Strength Strong. Texture, adaxial and abaxial surfaces Moderately covered with soft hairs; average length of hairs is 0.05 cm; colored white, nearest to RHS N155A. Luster, adaxial and abaxial surfaces Slightly glossy. Color, adaxial surface Greyed-purple, nearest to RHS N187C, and fading lighter, proximally, nearest to RHS 187C. Color, abaxial surface Greyed-purple, nearest to RHS 183C, and fading to greyed-orange, proximally, nearest to RHS 177B. Stipules General Two leafy stipules present at the base of each leaf. Shape Lanceolate. Length 0.5 cm. Diameter 0.15 cm. Apex Acuminate. Base Broad cuneate. Margins Serrate. Texture, adaxial and abaxial surfaces Slightly to moderately pubescent. Luster, adaxial and abaxial surfaces Slightly glossy. Color, adaxial surface Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 150D, and tipped brown, nearest to RHS 200B. Color, abaxial surface Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 150D, and tipped brown, nearest to RHS 200B. [0050] Inflorescence: [0051] Habit.Dichotomous cyme with two pedicellate flowers borne at the end of the peduncle. [0052] Dimensions.10.1 cm long and 7.9 cm wide, at the widest point across the outstretched flowers of the cyme. [0053] Natural flowering season.Spring into summer in Kirkcudbright, Scotland. [0054] Time to flower or response time.Approximately 9 months. [0055] Quantity of open flowers per plant.14, on average. [0056] Quantity of flower buds per plant.58, on average. [0057] Quantity of flowers and flower buds per plant.72, on average. [0058] Peduncles.Length Average of 10.7 cm. Diameter Average of 1.75 cm. Angle Average angle to stem is 30 degrees. Strength Moderately strong. Texture Lightly pubescent; hairs are soft with an average length of 0.8 mm; colored white, nearest to RHS N155A. Luster Slightly glossy. Color Greyed-purple, nearest to RHS 183B. [0059] Flower buds: [0060] Shape.Ovate. [0061] Length.1.0 cm. [0062] Diameter.0.55 cm. [0063] Texture.Smooth and glabrous, with the exception of the margins; margins are sparsely covered with soft hairs with an average length of 0.6 mm; colored white, nearest to RHS N155A. [0064] Luster.Very slightly glossy. [0065] Color.Green, nearest to in between RHS 143B and 143C; axially striped with greyed-purple, nearest to RHS 187A; apex is violet-purple, nearest to RHS N80A. [0066] Flower: [0067] Shape, type.Rotate; single. [0068] Flowering habit.Freely flowering. [0069] Aspect.Upright to outward. [0070] Flower longevity on plant.Approximately seven days. [0071] Persistent or self-cleaning.Self-cleaning. [0072] Fragrance.Non-fragrant. [0073] Diameter.3.4 cm. [0074] Depth.1.2 cm. [0075] Pedicels.Length 1.0 cm. Diameter 0.1 cm. Angle Average angle to peduncle is approximately 30 degrees. Strength Moderately strong. Texture Smooth and densely pubescent; hairs are soft with an average length of 0.6 mm; colored white, nearest to RHS N155A. Luster Moderately glossy. Color Greyed-purple, nearest to RHS 183B. [0076] Calyx.Shape Rotate. Length 0.7 cm. Diameter 1.8 cm. Sepals Arrangement Rotate. Quantity 5 unfused sepals. Shape Ovate. Aspect Slightly concave. Dimensions 1.1 cm long and 0.45 cm wide. Apex Mucronate. Base Cuneate. Margin Entire; no undulation; sparsely covered with short, soft hairs with an average length of 0.6 mm and colored white, nearest to RHS N155A. Texture and luster, upper surface Smooth, glabrous, and very slightly glossy. Texture and luster, lower surface Smooth, glabrous, and very slightly glossy. Color When opening, upper surface Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 146B; margined green, RHS 143B; tipped greyed-orange, RHS 177A. When opening, lower surface Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 144B; main vein is brown, RHS N200A; tipped greyed-orange, RHS 177A. Fully opened, upper surface Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 146B; margined green, RHS 143B; tipped greyed-orange, RHS 177A; not fading. Fully opened, lower surface Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 144B; main vein is brown, RHS N200A; tipped greyed-orange, RHS 177A; not fading. Venation Fully opened, upper surface Yellow-green, RHS 146B. Fully opened, lower surface Brown, RHS N200A. [0077] Petals.Quantity Five. Arrangement Rotate; arranged in a single whorl of unfused petals. Length 1.7 cm. Width 1.4 cm. Shape Broad obovate. Apex Rounded. Base Narrow cuneate. Margin Entire; lightly undulated. Texture, upper surface Glabrous, slightly velvety and matte; base is glossy. Texture, lower surface Glabrous, very slightly velvety, and matte. Petal color When opening, upper surface Purple-violet, nearest to RHS N82A. Veins are purple-violet, nearest to RHS N80A, and fade to greyed-white towards the base, nearest to RHS 156C. When opening, lower surface Purple-violet, nearest to RHS N82A. Veins are purple-violet, nearest to RHS N80A, and fade to greyed-white towards the base, nearest to RHS 156C. Fully opened, upper surface Purple-violet, nearest to RHS N81B, and fading to greyed-white at the base, nearest to RHS 156C. Fully opened, lower surface Purple-violet, nearest to RHS N81B, and fading to greyed-white at the base, nearest to RHS 156C. Venation, fully opened, upper surface Green-white, nearest to RHS 156C. Venation, fully opened, lower surface Green-white, nearest to RHS 156D. When faded, upper surface Not fading. When faded, upper surface Purple-violet, nearest to in between RHS N81B and N82C. [0078] Floral bracts.Position Two bracts are present at the base of each pedicel. Shape Lanceolate. Aspect Flat. Length 0.4 cm. Width 0.1 cm. Apex Acute. Base Broad cuneate. Margins Entire. Color, adaxial and abaxial surfaces Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 150D; tipped brown, nearest to RHS 200B. Texture, adaxial and abaxial surfaces Glabrous. [0079] Reproductive organs: [0080] Androecium.Stamens Quantity Approximately 10. Anthers Shape Oblong. Dimensions 0.2 cm long and 0.1 cm wide. Color Orange-white, nearest to RHS 159D. Filaments Length 0.7 cm. Color Green-white, nearest to RHS 157D; fading to yellow-green towards the base, nearest to RHS 147D. Amount of Pollen Sparse. Pollen color Greyed-green, nearest to RHS 198B. [0081] Gynoecium.Pistil Quantity One. Length 0.5 cm. Style Length 0.45 cm. Color Greyed-orange, nearest to RHS 166D. Stigma Quantity Five. Shape Curled. Length 0.1 cm. Diameter 0.4 cm. Color Greyed-yellow, nearest to RHS 160D. Ovary Color Brown, nearest to in between RHS N200A and N200B. [0082] Seed and fruit: [0083] Fruit.Shape Oblong. Quantity 72. Dimensions 2.5 cm long and 0.4 cm in diameter. Texture Very sparsely covered with short hairs with an average length of 1.0 mm and colored white, nearest to RHS N155A. Color, mature fruit Greyed-orange, nearest to RHS 174A, and fading to greyed-brown towards the base, nearest to in between RHS 199B and 199C. Persistent styles and stigmas are colored greyed-red, nearest to RHS 180B. [0084] Seed.No seeds have been detected.

COMPARISONS WITH THE PARENT PLANTS

[0085] Plants of the new cultivar MACGER002 differ from its seed parent, an unnamed Geranium maculatum plant (not patented), by the characteristics described in Table 1.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Characteristic MACGER002 The seed parent. General coloration Dark brown and Light brown. of the foliage. not fading. General coloration Violet-purple, generally Light pink. of the flower. appearing as dark pink.

[0086] Plants of the new cultivar MACGER002 may be distinguished from its pollen parent, Geranium maculatum Spring Purple (not patented), by the characteristics described in Table 2.

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Characteristic MACGER002 Spring Purple General coloration Dark brown and not Medium yellow- of the foliage. fading. green foliage. General coloration Violet-purple, Violet-purple, of the flower. generally appearing appearing more as dark pink. towards purple.

COMPARISON WITH THE MOST SIMILAR VARIETY OF COMMON KNOWLEDGE

[0087] Plants of the new cultivar MACGER002 may be distinguished from the most similar known commercial comparator, Geranium maculatum Espresso (not patented), by the characteristics described in Table 3.

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Characteristic MACGER002 Espresso General Dark brown Dark greyed-red coloration of and not fading. to greyed-purple the mature and fading to green foliage. suffused with greyed-red. General Violet-purple, Light pink. coloration of generally appearing the flower. as dark pink.