Mint plant ‘Ochoco Mint’

Abstract

Mint selection 14-41-16 denominated Ochoco Mint is a new Mentha sp. cultivar that produces an essential oil different in composition than commercially grown mint varieties. The essential oil is similar to standard mint oil in components composition but differs in the typical ratio of components. Organoleptically, it differs from typical peppermint oil. It is resistant to mint rust and more resistant to Verticillium mint wilt than current commercially grown varieties of M. arvensis.

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of peppermint plant, substantially as shown and described, characterized particularly by improving resistance to mint rust and mint wilt, and producing a unique essential oil.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) The accompanying color figures show typical greenhouse (FIG. 1) and field grown vegetative growth (FIG. 3) of 14-41-16 denominated Ochoco Mint and depicts the color as nearly true as reasonably possible.

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates the flowering pattern and multiple flowering shoots of my new mint plant in accordance with the present invention.

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates the leaf shape and the flower spike with capitate flower development at the nodes of the spike.

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates the growth pattern under field management of my new mint plant in accordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PLANT

(5) My new mint plant improves upon and is distinct from other mint plants in several characteristics, including but not limited to, the following: 1. The ability to produce an essential oil different in composition but with similar components as Black Mitcham peppermint; 2. A branching pattern similar to its parent and an upright growth to facilitate harvest; 3. An early spring growth similar to M. piperita but with an earlier maturity for desirable chemical composition of its essential oil; 4. A level of resistance to mint wilt (Verticillium dahliae) equal to or greater than that of its parent; 5. Resistance to mint rust caused by Puccinia menthae.

(6) The essential oil extracted from Ochoco Mint has the same components as that of commercial oil produced by Black Mitcham peppermint and the parent 12-5-11 as illustrated in Table 1. However, the ratio of oil components differs between the parent line and commercial peppermint oil and that of Ochoco Mint. The concentration of menthone and menthol in the oil of Ochoco Mint is lower than that of Black Mitcham. The amount of menthofuran in the oil of Ochoco Mint is higher than that of Black Mitcham, but lower than the parent. Organoleptically, the oil of Ochoco Mint is different from that of Black Mitcham and M. arvensis, reflecting the difference in oil component ratios.

(7) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 A Comparison of Ochoco Mint Essential Oil collected from test plots near Monmouth, Oregon, to that of commercial Black Mitcham Peppermint Oil, from Parent Line 12-5-11, and M. arvensis. Commercial 12-5-11 Essential Oil Black Blanco Parent Ochoco Components Mitcham 1/ M. arvensis 2/ Seedling 3/ Mint 4/ 1-Limonene 1.7 3.0 1.8 3.5 1,8-Cineole 4.9 <1.0 9.7 6.1 1-Menthone 19.4 7.3 3.8 8.7 Menthofuran 4.2 0.0 37.1 18.2 Isomenthone 3.1 3.6 1.2 0.7 1-Menthyl 5.3 2.9 6.0 7.1 Acetate 1-Menthol 44.6 73.9 26.8 38.6 Pulegone 2.1 0.0 4.3 1.1 The numbers listed in the above table are percentages based upon the analysis of the respective mint oils by gas chromatograph. The percentages are determined by calculation of the relative peak areas. 1/ Black Mitcham oil sample typical of what is produced commercially. 2/ Commercial oil sample typical of what is produced by Mentha arvensis. 3/ Parent line 12-5-11 oil from plants harvested from research test plots. 4/ Ochoco Mint oil from plants harvested from research plots.

TAXONOMIC DESCRIPTION OF OCHOCO MINT

(8) This new plant, under greenhouse and field growing conditions, is a bush type plant with lateral branches at each node of the main stems. The height of Ochoco Mint is slightly less than Black Mitcham growing under similar conditions and will vary based on fertilizer, soil quality, and water application, amongst other known factors that affect growth patterns. Secondary and tertiary branching occurs to form a compact growth habit. When Ochoco Mint is mature and ready for harvest, the main stem at mid-plant (approximately between the eleventh and twelfth node) is 6-7 mm in width. The secondary branch stems are 3-5 mm.

(9) Mature leaves at the bottom of the plant are ovate lanceolate as are leaves on secondary branch stems. Leaves on upper mature plants, both main and secondary stems, are more lanceolate (FIG. 3). Mid-main stem leaf size at flowering is 35-40 mm in width and 40-50 mm in length. Leaf size on secondary branches at flowering is 11-15 mm in width and 40-50 mm in length. Leaf petioles on the main stem leaves are 8-10 mm in length while petioles on secondary branch stem leaves are 8-10 mm in length. Leaves on the mid-main stem and lower tend to be slightly lobed and denticulate while the leaves on the upper plant tend to be more dentate. The main stem leaves have from 14 to 16 teeth on each side. The leaf is dark green in color, ranging from The Fifth Edition Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 137B to 137C in the green group classification. The leaf has 6-9 lateral veins, more or less in parallel off the main vein that runs from the petiole to the tip of the leaf. The veins are prominent in all leaves of Ochoco Mint.

(10) The inflorescence is an inconspicuous spike with capitate flowers developing at the last few nodes of the stem. The capitate flowers are 18-22 mm in width and 10-12 mm in length. The flowers consist of five petals fused into a two lipped corolla. The corolla is violet in color ranging from The Fifth Edition Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 85C to 85D in the violet group. The calyx is generally yellow-green and is 144B in The Fifth Edition Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, yellow-green group. The gynoecium consists of a single pistil with two lobed stigma that is exserted. The androecium consists of four stamens, each with a distinct filament and anther.

(11) While the plant that comprises the present invention has been described in connection with a specific embodiment thereof, it will be understood that this application is intended to cover any variation, uses, or adaptation of the invention (particular those induced by cultivation under different environmental conditions) following, in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth, and as fall within the scope of the invention and the limits of the appended claim.