Abstract
A new and distinct Stevia rebaudiana plant named SW 201 is described. The new variety is distinguished from other Stevia varieties by excellent sweet leaf taste with very low bitterness and aftertaste, superior overwintering capability, high plant vigor, high leaf yield, late flowering, and high steviol glycoside levels.
Claims
1. A new and distinct cultivar of Stevia plant named SW 201 as substantially shown and described herein.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) The accompanying photographs show, as nearly true as is possible in color illustrations of this type, typical flower and foliage characteristics of the SW 201 line. The plants depicted in the accompanying photographs are approximately one year old.
(2) FIG. 1 depicts a color photograph of a fully mature SW 201 Stevia plant from roots to top of the plant near the end of the plant's first growing season.
(3) FIG. 2 depicts a color photograph of SW 201 leaves.
(4) FIG. 3 depicts a color photograph of an SW 201 leaf, including the shape and dimensions.
(5) FIG. 4 depicts a color photograph of the flowers of an SW 201 Stevia plant.
DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION
(6) Following is a detailed botanical description of a new and distinct variety of a Stevia plant known as SW 201. Plant observations were made on Oct. 14, 2014, on mature one year old plants grown in a field in Ontario, Oreg., USA in natural light. The SW 201 line has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Where characteristics, such as dimensions, sizes, colors, and other such characteristics are given, it is to be understood that such characteristics are approximations or averages and that such approximations are not intended to be limiting. It is also to be understood that the phenotype of the variety may be altered by changes with environment, such as season, temperature, light quality, light intensity, day length, cultural conditions, and the like. Color notations are based on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, The Royal Horticultural Society, London, 2007. Botanical classification: Stevia rebaudiana cultivar SW 201. Parentage: Seeds (unpatented) of Clinton C. Shock and stevia plants (unpatented) grown from the seeds in Chowchilla, Calif. Plant (description based on FIG. 1): Type.Perennial in climates with mild winter temperatures. Form and habit.Multiple branching bush. Height (from top of soil).90 cm. Width (including flowers).75 cm. Harvest cycle.Summer and fall or fall. Leaves (description based on FIGS. 2 and 3): Length.5.0 cm-10 cm. Width.1.0 cm-2.0 cm. Arrangement.Opposite. Shape.Lanceolate. Apex descriptor.Acute. Base descriptor.Cuneate. Margin descriptor.Serrate. Color, mature foliage.Upper surface. RHS137C. Lower surface. RHS137C. Color, veins.RHS 139C. Texture, mature foliage.Upper surface. Slight pubescence. Lower surface. Moderate pubescence. Petiole length.0.6 cm. Petiole diameter.0.3 cm. Petiole texture.Upper surface: Slight pubescence. Lower surface: Slight pubescence. Pubescence color.Upper surface. RHS 139C. Lower surface. RHS 139C. Stevioside content.5.29%. Rebaudioside A content.11.17%. Rebaudioside A as a percentage of total steviol glycosides.60.9%. Ratio of rebaudioside A to stevioside.2.19. Total steviol glycosides.18.04%. Leaf harvest period.Summer and/or Fall. Stem: Length (excluding inflorescence).Varies to 1 m. Diameter.Varies to 2.0 cm. Texture.Pubescent. Color.RHS 145B. Flowers (description based on FIG. 4): Inflorescence type.Panicle. Petal color.RHS N155D. Petal length.0.6 cm. Petal width.0.1 cm. Bloom period.October to November at Ontario, Oreg. Arrangement.Composite. Shape.Cluster. Fragrance.None. Number of flowers per capitulum.5. Peduncle: Color.RHS 145B. Diameter.0.15 cm. Aspect.Perpendicular. Texture.Pubescent. Pedicles: Color.RHS 145B. Diameter.0.03 cm. Aspect.45 degrees. Texture.Pubescent. Disc florets: Arrangement.Radially symmetrical. Shape.Tubular. Phyllaries: Quantity.5. Length.0.7 cm. Width.0.15 cm. Shape.Lanceolate. Apex.Acute. Base.Fused. Margin.Overlapping. Color.RHS 145B. Reproductive organs: Androecium.Stamen quantity. 5. Stamen length. 3 mm. Stamen width. 0.5 mm. Anther length. 4 mm. Anther color. RHS 199A. Pollen amount. Medium pollen. Pollen color. RHS 4D. Gynoecium.Pistil length. 8 mm. Ovary length. 9 mm. Ovary width. Bipartite stigma of 4 mm. Ovary color. RD N999D. Style color. RHS N155B. Stigma color. RHS N155B. Fruit and seed set: Flowering.October to November, which is later than most stevia line, which flower from mid-to-late September. Seeds.Small black (RHS 200C) achene with pappus attached typical of Stevia rebaudiana. Seed length. 3 mm. Seed diameter. 0.5 mm. Seed texture. Soft seed coat with ribbed texture. Cold hardiness: Hardy to 23 F. (5 C.) at Ontario, Oreg. Heat tolerance: Hardy to a monthly average maximum temperature of 107-108 F. (42 C.) at Yuma, Ariz., and Indio, Calif.
