<i>Begonia </i>plant named ‘Harvest Moon’

Abstract

A new and distinct cultivar of Begonia plant named ‘Harvest Moon’ is disclosed, characterized by its distinctive foliage with a green upper surface turning copper during the Fall. Foliage underside is a warm maroon. Peduncles are long, holding most flowers above the foliage. Plants exhibit improved root hardiness and an upright plant form. Flower buds are bright pink, maturing to pink and white. The new cultivar is a Begonia, typically suited for garden and ornamental container use.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Begonia plant named ‘Harvest Moon’ 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 ‘Harvest Moon’ grown outdoors in Loxley, Ala. This plant is approximately 1 year old, planted in the ground.

(2) FIG. 2 illustrates the same plant in the Fall, having a coppery coloration to the foliage.

(3) FIG. 3 shows the coloration of the underside of the foliage.

(4) 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

(5) In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 2007 except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘Harvest Moon’ plants grown in outdoors in Loxley, Ala. during Spring. Temperatures ranged from a low temperature about 55° F. at night to a high around 85° C. during the day. No artificial light, photoperiodic treatments or chemical treatments were given to the plants. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types. Botanical classification: Begonia hybrid ‘Harvest Moon’. Age of the plant described: Approximately 1 year. Container size of the plant described: 1-gallon commercial container.

PROPAGATION

(6) Typically reproduced commercially by tissue culture. Leaf cutting propagation is also possible.

PLANT

(7) Growth habit: Upright flowering tender perennial. Pot size of plant described: 1-gallon. Height: About 50 cm to 55 cm. Plant spread: About 45 cm to 60 cm. Growth rate: Moderate to rapid. Branching characteristics: Basal branching, breaking into 2 lateral branches at about 10 to 14 cm with maturity. Quantity of branches: About 10 to 16. Characteristics of branches: Length.—About 16 cm. Form.—Round in cross section. Diameter.—Approximately 1.0 cm. Color.—Near RHS Greyed-Red 180C. Texture.—Mainly glabrous. Very sparse, irregular hirsute hairs, about 4 mm long colored near White 155C. Strength.—Weak to moderate. Internode length: About 5 to 7 cm.

FOLIAGE

(8) Arrangement: Emerging basally, with maturity 2 emerging from a branch split. Quantity.—Approximately 20 on a plant of this age. Average length.—Average range 21 to 24 cm. Average width.—Average range 18 to 20 cm. Shape of blade.—Broad kidney shaped. Apex.—Elongated acute. Base.—Cordate. Margin.—5 moderately shallow lobes with very shallow crenation. Texture of top surface.—Glabrous, leathery. Texture of bottom surface.—Glabrous. Very sparse hirsute hairs along main veins. Aspect.—Puckered, overall flat. Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 136A. Young foliage under side: Near RHS Greyed-Orange N172B. Mature foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 137A. Mature foliage under side: Near RHS Greyed-Orange 172C with an overlay N172C. Fall foliage upper side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 144A with overlay Greyed-Orange N167C. Fall foliage under side: Near RHS Greyed-Orange 167A with an overlay Greyed-Orange N167C. Venation.—Type: Palmate. Venation color upper side: Near RHS Green 138B. Fall venation colored near Yellow-Orange 18C, flushed Red 48A near attachment. Venation color under side: Near RHS Greyed-Orange N172A. Petiole.—Length: Average range 15 to 20 cm. Diameter: 7 to 8 mm. Color: Near RHS Yellow-Green 146D heavily flushed Greyed-Purple 183C. Greyed-Purple flush much stronger at base. Texture: Glabrous. Rarely a hirsute hair bout 4 mm long. Stipule description.—1 or 2 per node, non-fleshy, becoming completely dry and papery before leaves fully expand. Length: Approximately 2.5 cm. Diameter: Approximately 1.2 cm. Color: Begins near Greyed-Orange 168C, turning Greyed-Orange 166D when dry. Texture: Glabrous.

FLOWER

(9) Flowering habit: Continuously flowering during Spring and Summer. Flowering begins in May, in the Gulf Coast of the US. Inflorescence and flower type and habit: Single flowers arranged in axillary cymes. Cymes held slightly above or within foliage, approximately 2 to 4 flowers per cyme. Cyme size: Diameter.—Approximately 12 cm. Height.—Approximately 5 cm. Flower longevity on plant: About 10 days, depending upon environmental conditions. Persistent or self-cleaning: Self-Cleaning. Bud: Shape.—Ovate. Length.—Approximately 3 cm, including bracts. Tepal bud alone about 1.4 cm. Diameter.—Approximately 1 cm, including bracts. Tepal bud alone about 1.0 cm. Color.—Tepal bud near RHS Red-Purple N57B. Immature bracts around bud colored near Red 55A. Flower size: Diameter.—Approximately 6.0 cm. Depth.—Approximately 1.5 cm, including protruding stamens. Tepals: Quantity.—Approximately 5. Arrangement.—Rotate. Length.—Approximately 3 cm. Width.—Approximately 2.1 cm. Shape.—Ovate. Apex.—Obtuse. Base.—Broad attenuate. Margin.—Entire. Aspect.—Slight upward curve. Texture, upper and lower surfaces.—Glabrous Appearance, upper and lower surfaces.—Slightly iridescent. Color.—When opening, upper surface: Near RHS Red 55A flushed Red-Purple N57B. When opening, lower surface: Near RHS Red-Purple N57C. Fully opened, upper surface: Near RHS White 155C streaked Red 55C. Fully opened, lower surface: Near RHS White 155C streaked Red 55C. Flower bracts Quantity per flower.—2. Shape.—Ovate, strongly concave. Length.—Approximately 2.7 cm. Diameter.—Approximately 1.4 cm, when manually flattened. Apex.—Acute. Base.—Truncate. Margin.—Entire. Texture.—Glabrous. Aspect.—Strongly curved inward towards tepals. Color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 151B flushed Red 52A when mature. Immature bracts near Red 52A. Peduncles: Length.—Average 20 cm. Diameter.—Approximately 4 mm. Angle.—About 15° to the lateral branch. Strength.—Moderate, flexible. Texture.—Glabrous. Color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 151A flushed Greyed-Red 182A. Base near Greyed-Purple 183C. Pedicels: Length.—Approximately 3.5 cm. Diameter.—Approximately 3 mm. Angle.—About 45° to the lateral branch. Strength.—Moderate, flexible. Texture.—Glabrous. Color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 151B flushed Red 55A. Fragrance: None.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

(10) Stamens: Number.—8, arising from staminoidal column. Anthers: Description.—Fleshy, curly. Length.—Free portion about 7 mm. Color.—Near RHS Green-Yellow 1A. Pollen.—Scant to none. Colored near Red 54D. Pistil: Number.—1. Length.—Approximately 1.5 cm. Style.—Length: Approximately 2 mm. Color: Near RHS Colored near Red 54D. Stigma.—Shape: Linear. Color: Near RHS Colored near Red 54A. Ovary Color: Near RHS Yellow-Green 145B.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

(11) Seeds: Not observed. Disease/pest resistance: Moderate resistance and susceptibility to common diseases and pests of Begonia have been observed in the new variety. Temperature tolerance: USDA Zone 7-9.