Osteospermum Plant Named 'KLEOE23096'

Abstract

A new Osteospermum plant particularly distinguished by purple flowers, with an upright habit, is disclosed.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Osteospermum Plant Named KLEOE23096 as described and illustrated herein.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

[0008] This new Osteospermum plant is illustrated by the accompanying photograph which shows a close-up of the foliage, buds, and mature flower. The photograph is of a 17-week-old plant grown outdoors in Stuttgart, Germany in July 2023. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

[0009] The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of KLEOE23096. The data which define these characteristics were collected in Stuttgart Germany in April 2024 on plants potted in October 2023. References are to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.), 5.sup.th edition (2007). [0010] Classification: [0011] Family.Asteraceae. [0012] Botanical.Osteospermum ecklonis Norl. [0013] Common.Osteospermum. [0014] Designation.KLEOE23096. [0015] Parentage: [0016] Female parent.The female Osteospermum variety KLEO04110 (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,272). [0017] Male parent.The proprietary male Osteospermum variety OE-2014-1094 (unpatented). [0018] Plant: [0019] Form and habit.Herbaceous perennial but usually cultivated as an annual; not frost resistant. [0020] Growth habit.Upright. [0021] Branching habit.Normal. [0022] Height (from top of soil, including inflorescence).16.0 cm. [0023] Width (including inflorescences).20.0 cm. [0024] Propagation.Vegetative cuttings. [0025] Time to produce a finished flowering plant.10 to 17 weeks. [0026] Time to initiate and develop roots.4 weeks. [0027] Root description.Fine; RHS 155A (white). [0028] Leaves: [0029] Arrangement.Alternate. [0030] Shape.Obovate. [0031] Apex.Acute. [0032] Base.Acute. [0033] Margin.Entire. [0034] Immature color.Upper surface: RHS 144A. Lower surface: RHS 144A. [0035] Mature color.Upper surface: RHS 137A. Lower surface: RHS 137C. [0036] Length.3.1 cm. [0037] Width.1.2 cm. [0038] Texture.Upper surface: Leathery. Lower surface: Leathery with fine hairs. [0039] Petioles.Absent. [0040] Venation pattern.Absent. [0041] Venation color.Upper surface: RHS 144A. Lower surface: RHS 144A. [0042] Stems: [0043] Total number of branches per plant (calculated at the base of the plant).4. [0044] Length.15.0 cm. [0045] Diameter.0.3 cm. [0046] Internode length.0.9 cm. [0047] Color.RHS 144B. [0048] Texture.Smooth. [0049] Anthocyanin.Absent. [0050] Buds: [0051] Shape.Round. [0052] Length.1.1 cm. [0053] Diameter.0.8 cm. [0054] Color (at tight bud just before the ray florets unfold).RHS 137C. [0055] Inflorescence: [0056] Type.Composite, single. [0057] Blooming habit.Upright, with longer flower stems. [0058] Quantity of inflorescences per plant.32. [0059] Lastingness of the inflorescences on the plant.10 to 15 days. [0060] Fragrance.Present. [0061] Inflorescence diameter.5.4 cm. [0062] Inflorescence depth.1.5 cm. [0063] Disc diameter.1.3 cm. [0064] Disc floret: [0065] Quantity per inflorescence.Around 50. [0066] Shape.Tubular. [0067] Tube color.Closed: RHS 79A. Mature: RHS 79A. [0068] Length.0.7 cm. [0069] Diameter (at apex).0.3 cm. [0070] Apex.Acute. [0071] Apex color.RHS 79A. [0072] Base.0.1 cm. [0073] Base color.RHS 157A. [0074] Margin.Entire. [0075] Ray floret: [0076] Quantity per inflorescence.21. [0077] Shape.Oblanceolate. [0078] Color.Upper surface: RHS N78A with a ring (RHS N81A) that is absent or very narrow and elongated stripes (RHS 84D) that are absent or very weak but may appear in the summertime when grown outdoors. Lower surface: RHS N78C. [0079] Length.2.4 cm. [0080] Width.0.5 cm. [0081] Apex.Obtuse. [0082] Base.Acute. [0083] Margin.Entire. [0084] Texture.Upper surface: Smooth. Lower surface: Smooth. [0085] Peduncle.Length: 5.3 cm. Diameter: 0.1 cm. Texture: Smooth with hairs. Color: RHS 144A. [0086] Phyllaries: [0087] Texture.Smooth with fine hairs. [0088] Color.RHS 138A. [0089] Arrangement.Single. [0090] Observed quantity per plant.21. [0091] Shape.Lanceolate. [0092] Color.Upper surface: RHS 138A. Lower surface: RHS 138B. [0093] Length.2.2 cm. [0094] Width.0.2 cm. [0095] Apex.Acute. [0096] Base.Obtuse. [0097] Margin.Entire. [0098] Texture.Upper surface: Smooth with fine hairs. Lower surface: Smooth. [0099] Reproductive organs: [0100] Androecium.Location: On the disc floret. Stamens: Quantity: Numerous, approximately 100 . Shape: Filamentous. Filament length: 0.2 cm. Filament diameter: Less than 0.1 cm. [0101] Anther.Shape: Lanceolate. Color: RHS 79A. Length: 0.1 cm. Diameter: Less than 0.1 cm. [0102] Pollen.Color: RHS 14A. Amount: Abundant. [0103] Gynoecium.Location: On the base of the petals (ray floret). Pistils: Number: Numerous, approximately 30. Length: 0.2 cm. Diameter: Less than 0.1 cm Stigma: Color: RHS 79A. Shape: Filamentous. Length: 0.2 cm. Diameter: Less than 0.1 cm. Style: Color: RHS 79A. Length: 0.1 cm. Diameter: Less than 0.1 cm. [0104] Fruit and seed set: None observed.

[0105] Disease and pest/insect resistance: No disease and pest/insect resistance observed.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL LINES AND KNOWN VARIETY

[0106] KLEOE23096 is a distinct variety of Osteospermum and is distinguished from its parents as described in Table 1.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Comparison with Parental Lines Characteristic KLEOE23096 Female Parent Male Parent Flower filling Single Double Single Flower color Purple Red to Purple Purple Habit Upright Upright, compact and Compact mounded

[0107] KLEOE23096 is most similar to the commercial Osteospermum variety KLEOE23094 (unpatented). Differences between the varieties are described in Table 2.

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Comparison with Similar Variety Characteristic KLEOE23096 KLEOE23094 Habit Upright Compact Earliness Earliness is later than Earlier than KLEOE23094 KLEOE23096