Coleus plant named ‘UF13-42-4’

Abstract

‘UF13-42-4’ is a new coleus plant distinguished by having consistent deep red leaves, vigorous but compact growth habit, and desirable non-flowering characteristics, as disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A new and distinct Solenostemon scutellarioides plant named ‘UF13-42-4’ as described and illustrated herein.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) This new coleus plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographs, which show the plant's form and foliage.

(2) The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures.

(3) FIGS. 2 and 3 were taken of plants grown for nine weeks from unrooted cuttings that were pinched once at four weeks after stick and grown five additional weeks in November 2014-January, 2015 in a poly-covered plastic greenhouse in Gainesville, Fla.

(4) FIG. 1—shows the pedigree of the claimed plant.

(5) FIG. 2—shows the growth habit, form, and foliage of the claimed plant.

(6) FIG. 3—shows a close-up of the foliage.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

(7) The following detailed description sets forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘UF13-42-4’. The detailed description was obtained using eight-week-old plants grown from unrooted cuttings in November 2014-January of 2015 in a poly-covered plastic greenhouse in Gainesville, Fla. The plants were pinched four weeks after cuttings were stuck, then grown in 1-gallon pots for approximately five additional weeks. Color references are to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.), 2007 5th Edition. Classification: Family.—Lamiaceae. Botanical.—Solenostemon scutellarioides. Common name.—Coleus. Cultivar name.—‘UF13-42-4’. Plant description: Form.—Spreading. Habit.—Upright. Height (from top of soil).—20-25 cm. Width (horizontal plant diameter).—40-45 cm. Propagation: Type cuttings.—Vegetative meristems having at least 1 node. Time to initiate roots.—3-4 days. Time to produce a rooted cutting.—7-10 days. Root habit.—Fibrous. Root description.—Callus forms in 2 to 3 days, roots initiate in 3-4 days and become a highly branched cutting in 7-10 days. Branches: Quantity per plant.—5-6 main branches per plant with numerous side branches. Branch color.—RHS N187B. Texture.—Smooth. Pubescence.—Not present. Stem description.—Square-shaped stem, 0.5 cm in diameter at the soil line. Branch diameter.—0.4-0.5 cm at the base of an 18-cm long branch. Branch length.—18-20 cm. Internode length.—3.5-4.0 cm. Anthocyanin.—N/A. Leaves: Quantity of leaves per branch.—12-14. Arrangement.—Opposite. Fragrance.—Not fragrant. Shape.—Ovate. Length.—12-13 cm. Width.—8-9 cm. Apex.—Broadly acuminate. Base.—Attenuate. Margin.—Crenate. Leaf texture (both surfaces).—Smooth. Pubescence (both surfaces).—Not present. Venation color.—Upper surface: RHS N186D. Lower surface: RHS 145D. Venation pattern.—Upper surface: Arcuate. Lower surface: Arcuate and reticulate. Color: Immature leaf.—Upper surface: Center: RHS 184A; margin: RHS N144A. Lower surface: Center: RHS 187B; margin: RHS N144A. Color: Mature leaf.—Upper surface: Center: RHS 185A; margin: RHS N144C. Lower surface: RHS 187C. Petiole length.—2-3 cm. Petiole diameter.—0.2-0.3 cm. Petiole color.—RHS 183C. Petiole texture.—Smooth. Flowers and seeds: Flowers and seeds have not been observed to date. Fruit/seed set: Fruit/seed not observed. Disease and insect resistance: Disease and insect resistance is typical of the species, thus no claims are made of any superior disease or insect resistance with this cultivar. The most common insect pests observed on this plant in Gainesville, Fla. have been long-tailed or citrus mealybugs (Pseudococcus sp.), which occur on older stock plant material held in the greenhouse for over 3-4 months. Impatiens Necrotic Spot Virus (Bunyaviridae) has also been observed in plants confined in greenhouses with mixed crops (peppers) infected with Western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis). The most common pathogen of this species in the U.S. is downy mildew (Peronospora lamii). This pathogen has been observed in stock materials grown closely together in cooler growing seasons.