Abstract
A new and distinct Stevia rebaudiana plant named ‘SW 227’ is described. The new variety is distinguished from other Stevia varieties by high plant vigor characterized by plant anatomy with extensive stooling and branching; an excellent sweet leaf taste with very low bitterness and aftertaste; and leaves having a rebaudioside A content of 10.7%. Samples have been collected with total steviol glycoside content of 13.3%.
Claims
1. A new and distinct cultivar of Stevia plant named ‘SW 227’ as substantially shown and described herein.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] The accompanying photographs show, as nearly true as is possible in color illustrations of this type, typical flower and foliage characteristics of the ‘SW 227’ line. The plants depicted in the accompanying photographs are approximately one year old.
[0028] FIG. 1 is a color photograph of a fully mature ‘SW 227’ Stevia plant near the end of the plant's first growing season. The photograph shows the plant from roots to top of the plant.
[0029] FIG. 2 is a color photograph of a top view of a ‘SW 227’ Stevia plant. The photograph shows the plant's strong stooling habit.
[0030] FIG. 3 is a color photograph of a top view of a ‘SW 227’ Stevia plant. The photograph shows the plant's extensive branching.
[0031] FIG. 4 is a color photograph of the leaves of a ‘SW 227’ Stevia plant
[0032] FIG. 5 is a color photograph of a single leaf of a ‘SW 227’ Stevia plant. The photograph includes the dimensions of the leaf.
[0033] FIG. 6 is a color photograph of the flowers of an ‘SW 227’ Stevia plant.
DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION
[0034] Following is a detailed botanical description of a new and distinct variety of a Stevia plant known as ‘SW 227.’ Plant observations were made October 2015, on mature one year old plants grown in a field in Ontario, Oreg. in natural light. The ‘SW 227’ 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. [0035] Botanical classification: Stevia rebaudiana cultivar ‘SW 227’. [0036] Parentage: ‘SW 227’ stevia line was derived from a 2013 cross between the Stevia rebaudiana clone known as ‘selection 395’ (unpatented) and the ‘SW 129’ stevia line (patent pending). [0037] Seed parent.—‘Selection 395’ cloned by Clinton C. Shock and rooted in Ontario, Oreg. [0038] Pollen parent.—‘SW 129’ stevia line described and claimed in commonly owned U.S. Plant Patent application Ser. No. 14/757,095, filed on Nov. 17, 2015. [0039] Plant (description based on FIGS. 1, 2, and 3): [0040] Type.—Perennial in climates with mild winter temperatures. [0041] Form and habit.—Multiple branching bush. [0042] Height (from top of soil).—75 cm. [0043] Width (including flowers).—60 cm. [0044] Number of nodes on main stem.—Varies. [0045] Stooling.—Prolific branch generation from subsurface root material. [0046] Plant (description based on FIGS. 2 and 3): [0047] Number of basal buds.—Many. [0048] Harvest cycle.—Single fall or multiple throughout the summer to early September. [0049] Leaves (description based on FIGS. 4 and 5): [0050] Length.—˜8 cm. [0051] Width.—˜2 cm. [0052] Arrangement.—Opposite. [0053] Shape.—Lanceolate, with 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm serrations ⅓ the length of a leaf. [0054] Apex descriptor.—Acute. [0055] Base descriptor.—Cuneate. [0056] Margin descriptor.—Serrate. [0057] Color, mature foliage.—Upper surface. RHS137C. Lower surface. RHS137C. Color, veins.—RHS 139C. [0058] Texture, mature foliage.—Upper surface. Smooth. Lower surface. Slight pubescence. [0059] Petiole length.—˜0.2 cm. [0060] Petiole diameter.—˜0.02 cm. [0061] Petiole texture.—Upper surface: Slight pubescence. Lower surface: Slight pubescence. [0062] Pubescence color.—Upper surface. RHS 139C. Lower surface. RHS 139C. [0063] Stevioside content.—1.4% [0064] Rebaudioside A content.—10.7%, with up to 14.3% observed. [0065] Rebaudioside A as a percentage of total steviol glycosides.—80.4%. [0066] Ratio of rebaudioside A to stevioside.—7.6. [0067] Total steviol glycosides.—13.3%, with up to 18.3% observed. [0068] Leaf harvest period.—A single harvest in fall or multiple harvests throughout summer to early fall in Ontario, Oreg. [0069] Stem: [0070] Length (excluding inflorescence).—Varies to 75 cm. [0071] Internode length.—Varies. [0072] Texture.—Pubescent. [0073] Color.—RHS 145B. [0074] Flowers (description based on FIG. 6): [0075] Inflorescence type.—Panicle. [0076] Petal color.—RHS N155D. [0077] Petal length.—˜0.6 cm. [0078] Petal width.—˜0.1 cm. [0079] Bloom period.—September to December at Ontario, Oreg., with protection from freezing weather required after September. [0080] Arrangement.—Composite. [0081] Shape.—Cluster. [0082] Fragrance.—None. [0083] Number of flowers per capitulum.—5. [0084] Peduncle: Color.—RHS 145B. [0085] Length (cm).—Varies. [0086] Diameter.—˜0.15 cm. [0087] Aspect.—Perpendicular. [0088] Texture.—Pubescent. [0089] Pedicles: [0090] Color.—RHS 145B. [0091] Length (cm).—Varies. [0092] Diameter.—˜0.03 cm. [0093] Aspect.—45 degrees. [0094] Texture.—Pubescent. [0095] Disc florets: [0096] Arrangement.—Radially symmetrical. [0097] Shape.—Tubular. [0098] Phyllaries: [0099] Quantity.—5. [0100] Length.—˜0.7 cm. [0101] Width.—˜0.15 cm. [0102] Shape.—Lanceolate. [0103] Apex.—Acute. [0104] Base.—Fused. [0105] Margin.—Overlapping. [0106] Color.—RHS 145B. [0107] Reproductive organs: [0108] Androecium.—Stamen quantity. 5. Anther length. ˜0.4 cm. Anther color. RHS 199A. [0109] Gynoecium.—Pistil length. ˜0.8cm. Style color. RHS N155B. Stigma color. RHS N155B [0110] Fruit and seed set: [0111] Flowering.—Later seed set compared to other known stevia lines. [0112] Seeds.—Small black achene (˜3.0 mm) with pappus (˜4.0 mm) attached, typical of Stevia rebaudiana. [0113] Cold hardiness: Hardy to −5° C. (23° F.) at Ontario, Oreg. [0114] Heat tolerance: Hardy to a monthly average maximum temperature of 34° C. (93.2° F.) at Ontario, Oreg.
