Stevia plant named ‘12-05-149’

Abstract

This invention relates to a new and distinct stevia plant designated as 12-05-149 primarily adapted to produce sweeteners.

Claims

1. A new and distinct stevia plant as herein described and illustrated.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) The accompanying color photographs show typical specimens of the new plant at various stages of development as nearly true as it is possible to make in color reproductions. Color in the photographs may differ slightly from the color value cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describes the color of 12-05-149. The photograph was taken in East Lansing, Mich. in October 2014.

(2) FIG. 1 Stevia plant in field.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(3) The photographs together with the description of stevia 12-05-149 are based upon the observations taken during the 2014 growing season in East Lansing, Mich. The following description of stevia plant 12-05-149 contains references to color names taken from The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), 2001 edition. Botanical descriptions follow the Manual of Cultivated Plants (Bailey, 1949). Stevia plant 12-05-149 has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions and as such the characteristics may vary in detail depending on weather conditions, day length, soil type and location. Plant (average, at maturity): Shape.Upright to semi-upright. Habit.Herbaceous perennial. Branching habit.Freely branching basal nodes. Number of nodes on main stem.19. Height.363.8 mm. Width.203.2 mm. Number of stems arising from base.1.0. Main stem length.363.8 mm. Main stem diameter at midpoint.6.6. Number of branches (arising from lower half of stem).5.6. Branch angle from main stem.35. Main stem color.Green 141B. Stem length.39 cm. Stem diameter.8.8 mm. Internode length.1.4 cm. Stem texture.Pubescent. Stem color.139D. Leaves: Shape.Simple. Arrangement on stem.Generally opposite. Margin.Serrated. Dorsal color.Green 137A. Ventral color.Green 137C. Venation color.Green 137C. Leaf angle from main stem.82. Width.11.1 mm. Length, including petiole.46.6. Thickness.<1 mm. Length of petiole.3.2 mm. Petiole color.Green 138B. Petiole diameter.Blade attaches directly to the stem. Description of apex and base of leaf.Minimal apex serration. Texture of leaf (upper and lower surfaces).Slightly pubescent. Leaf length.5.9 cm. Leaf width.1.4 cm. Flowers: Type.Paniculate-corymbose. Floret shape.Tubular. Stigma.Exserted. Inflorescence diameter.5.0 mm. Depth of inflorescence.8.1 mm. Number of florets per Inflorescence.4.6. Length of peduncle.14.0 mm. Number of sepals per floret.0. Number of petals per floret.1. Number of stigmas per floret.2. Floret diameter.4.0 mm. Bud color.Green 138B. Stigma color.White 155A. Petal color.White 155A. Sepal color.Green 138B. Basal buds.4. Blooming period.October to killing frost. Arrangement and fragrance of flower.Corymb; non-fragrant. Fruit: Type.Achenes. Disease resistance and climate tolerance: Resistant to aphids (family Aphididae), tolerant to wind.