<i>Begonia </i>plant named ‘Dark Side of the Moon’

Abstract

A new and distinct cultivar of Begonia plant named ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ is disclosed, characterized by its distinctive large, green-black foliage with maroon undersides. Peduncles are long, holding most flowers above the foliage. Plants exhibit improved root hardiness and a rounded plant form. Immature flowers are cherry red, maturing to medium 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 ‘Dark Side of the 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 ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ grown outdoors in Loxley, Ala. This plant is approximately 1 year old, planted in the ground.

(2) FIG. 2 illustrates a close-up view of the flowers and foliage.

(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 Colour Chart 2007 except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘Dark Side of the 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 ‘Dark Side of the Moon’. Age of the plant described: Approximately 1 year. Container size of the plant described: 1-gallon commercial container.

PROPAGATION

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

PLANT

(6) Growth habit: Upright flowering tender perennial. Pot size of plant described: 1-gallon. Height: About 40 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 12 to 18 cm with maturity. Quantity of branches: About 15 to 20. Characteristics of branches: Length.—About 15 cm. Form.—Round in cross section. Diameter.—Approximately 1.0 cm. Color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 146D heavily flushed Greyed-Purple 183C. 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

(7) Arrangement: Emerging basally, with maturity 2 emerging from a branch split. Quantity.—Approximately 20 on a plant of this age. Average length.—Average range 19 to 22 cm. Average width.—Average range 18 to 20 cm. Shape of blade.—Broad kidney shaped. Apex.—Elongated acute. Base.—Cordate. Margin.—5 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 Greyed-Green N189B. Young foliage under side: Near RHS Greyed-Purple 185B with a sheen 186C. Mature foliage upper side: Near RHS Greyed-Green N189A. Mature foliage under side: Near RHS Greyed-Purple 185B with a sheen 186C. Venation.—Type: Palmate. Venation color upper side: Near RHS Greyed-Purple 185D. Venation color under side: Near RHS Greyed-Purple N186D. 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 3.5 cm. Diameter: Approximately 1.8 cm. Color: Begins near Greyed-Red 185B, turning Greyed-Orange 166D when dry. Texture: Glabrous.

FLOWER

(8) 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 8 cm. Height.—Approximately 4.5 cm. Flowers per inflorescence: Average 8. Flower longevity on plant: About 10 days, depending upon environmental conditions. Persistent or self-cleaning: Self-Cleaning. Bud: Shape.—Ovate. Length.—Approximately 2 cm, including bracts. Tepal bud alone about 1.2 cm. Diameter.—Approximately 1 cm, including bracts. Tepal bud alone about 1.0 cm. Color.—Tepal bud near RHS Red 51B. Immature bracts around bud colored near Red 53D. Flower size: Diameter.—Approximately 3.0 cm. Depth.—Approximately 1.5 cm, including protruding stamens. Tepals: Quantity.—Approximately 5. Arrangement. Rotate. Length.—Approximately 1.7 cm. Width.—Approximately 1.1 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 54B. When opening, lower surface: Near RHS Red 52B. Fully opened, upper surface: Near RHS Red 52C streaked White 155C. Fully opened, lower surface: Near RHS Red 52C streaked White 155C. Flower bracts: Quantity per flower.—2. Shape.—Ovate, strongly concave. Length.—Approximately 2.8 cm. Diameter.—Approximately 1.7 cm, when manually flattened. Apex.—Acute. Base.—Truncate. Margin.—Entire. Texture.—Glabrous. Aspect.—Strongly curved inward towards tepals. Color.—Near RHS Green-White 2C when mature. Immature bracts near Red 51B. Peduncles: Length.—Average 16 cm. Diameter.—Approximately 4 mm. Angle.—About 15° to the lateral branch. Strength.—Moderate, flexible. Texture.—Glabrous. Color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green N144A flushed Greyed-Red 180C towards base. Pedicels: Length.—Approximately 1.5 cm. Diameter.—Approximately 3 mm. Angle.—About 45° to the lateral branch. Strength.—Moderate, flexible. Texture.—Glabrous. Color.—Near RHS Red 50D. Fragrance: None.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

(9) 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 56D. Pistil: Number.—1. Length.—Approximately 1.6 cm. Style.—Length: Approximately 2 mm. Color: Near RHS Colored near Red 56D. Stigma.—Shape: Linear. Color: Near RHS Colored near Red 56A. Ovary Color: Near RHS Yellow-Green 145B.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

(10) 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.