Latin name of the genus and species of the claimed plant: Gypsophila paniculata (hybrid).

Variety denomination: ‘DANGYP39’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Gypsophila plant, botanically known as Gypsophila paniculata , hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘DANGYP39’.

Gypsophila , of the Carophyllaceae family, consists of hardy annuals and perennials which are grown in various parts of the United States and Europe. Gypsophila plants are commonly called either Baby's Breath or Chalk Plant.

The new Gypsophila cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor, Gabriel Danziger, in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel. The objective of the breeding program is to develop a new Gypsophila variety with large, globular-shaped, double, pink flowers; ease in harvesting variety, and good vase life with good flower color retention.

The new Gypsophila cultivar was originated from a cross made in a controlled breeding program by the inventor in February of 2002, in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel. The female parent is in the hybrid line designated ‘P/3190’ (unpatented). The male parent is the hybrid line designated ‘OP1’ (unpatented). The new Gypsophila cultivar ‘DANGYP39’ was discovered and selected by the inventor, Gabriel Danziger, as a single flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by removing cutting from the initial plant was first performed in March of 2002 in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel, and has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction. The instant plant reproduces true-to-type.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘DANGYP39’ which in combination distinguish this Gypsophila as a new and distinct cultivar:

• • 1) Globular-shaped, double flower, 9-11 mm in diameter;
  • 2) Conic, pink flowers arranged in clusters, creating a wide and impressive conic structure;
  • 3) 7 to 9 stems per plant in first flash;
  • 4) Medium flash duration;
  • 5) Erect, stable growth habit, branching from lower part of main stem, 85 to 95 cm in height;
  • 6) Uniformly good quality of inflorescence year round;
  • 7) Good post-production longevity, with vase life of 10 to 14 days; and
  • 8) Commerically suitable product; marketed as a cut flower.

Table 1 provides a comparison among plants of ‘DANGYP39’ and plants of the parents, ‘P/3190’ (unpatented) and ‘OP1’ (unpatented):

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor, the most similar in comparison to ‘DANGYP39’ is the Gypsophila cultivar ‘Dangypink’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 14,795). In side-by-side comparisons conducted in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel, plants of ‘DANGYP39’ differed from plants of ‘Dangypink’ in the following characteristics provided in Table 2

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying color photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Gypsophila cultivar ‘DANGYP39’ showing the colors as true as is reasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color value cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the color of ‘DANGYP39’.

FIG. 1 shows a side view perspective of a flowering stem of ‘DANGYP39’.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of a single flower and buds of ‘DANGYP39’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Gypsophila cultivar ‘DANGYP39’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of the plant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the following observations, measurements and values describe the new Gypsophila cultivar as grown in Greenhouse, in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel, under conditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), 2001, except where general colors of ordinary significance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditions at approximately 12:00 p.m. in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel. The age of the plant described is about 3 months.

• Classification:
  • • Botanical.— Hybrid of Gypsophila paniculata.
    • Commerical.—Gypsophila ‘My Pink’.
• Parentage:
  • • Female parent.— Hybrid line designated ‘P/3190’ (unpatented).
    • Male parent.— Hybrid line designated ‘OP1’ (unpatented).
• Origin: F1 hybrid.
• Propagation: Stem cutting.
• Plant:
  • • General appearance and form.— Height: 85 to 95 cm. Width: 50 to 60 cm. Habit: Weak, apical dominance, branching from plant base. Form: Upright bush type.
    • Flowering response.— Long day.
    • Flowering season.— Naturally during summer. All year with supplemental lighting.
    • Winter hardiness .—Sensitive to temperatures below 9° C. to 10° C.
    • Lastingness of the individual bloom.— 10 to 14 days.
    • Rooting.— Use rooting hormone.
• Foliage:
  • • Overall shape of leaf.— Lanceolate.
    • Base.— Truncate.
    • Tip.— Acuminate.
    • Margin.— Entire.
    • Texture.— Rough.
    • Main color of upper surface.— Mature leaf: Yellow-Green, RHS 147-A. Immature leaf: Green, RHS 137-A.
    • Main color of lower surface.— Mature leaf: Green, RHS 137-A. Immature leaf: Green, RHS 137-B.
    • Venation color.— Upper surface: None. Lower surface: None.
    • Size.— Length: 10 to 13 cm. Width: 2 to 2.5 cm.
    • Stipules.— None.
    • Petiole.— None.
• Inflorescence:
  • • Natural flowering season.— Long day.
    • Inflorescence size.— Length: 30 to 50 cm. Width: 30 to 40 cm.
    • Fragrance.— Typical to Gypsophila.
    • Corolla.— Form: Double flower. Shape: Globular. Average Number: 1000 to 2000 flowering per stem. Size: 9 to 11 mm in diameter. Depth: 4 to 6 mm.
    • Petal.— Petal Number: 40 to 50. Petal Shape: Spatulate with tip emarginated. Apex: Obtuse and emerginate. Base: Acute. Petal Markings: None. Length: 4 to 6 mm. Width: 1 to 2 mm. Margin: Entire. Margin color: RHS 75-B, Purple group, Transparent. Petal Color: Upper surface: Pink, RHS 75-B, Purple group. Lower surface: Pink, RHS 75-A,Purple group.
    • Sepal.— Sepal Number: 5. Overall Sepal Shape: Oval with tip pointed. Apex: Obtuse. Base: Truncate. Length: 3 to 4 mm. Width: 2 to 3 mm. Margin: Both surfaces: Entire. Margin color: Upper surface: White, RHS 155-C, Transparent. Lower surface: White, RHS 155-C, Transparent. Sepal Color: Upper surface: Green group, RHS 143-A. Lower surface: Green group, RHS 143-A.
    • Stem.— Number per plant: 7 to 9 in first flash. Average length: 85 to 95 cm. Average diameter: 5 to 6 mm. Internode length: 6 to 8 cm. Color: Yellow-Green, RHS 146-C.
    • Lateral branches.— Number of Lateral Branches per plant: About 5 to 10.
    • Spur.— None.
    • Bud.— Response: Long day. Color: Greenish-white, yellow group, RHS 2-D. Size before opening: Height: 2.5 to 3.5 mm. Diameter: 2 to 3 mm. Shape: Oblate.
    • Pedicel.— Pedicel Length: 8 to 10 mm. Pedicel Color: Yellow-Green, RHS 146-A.
    • Peduncle.— Appearance and angle: Thyrse, about 30 to 50 branches from main stem. Length: 85 to 95 cm. Diameter: 30 to 40 cm. Strength: Stable. Color: Yellow-Green, RHS 146-C.
• Reproductive organs:
• Androecium:
  • • Stamen.— Number: 5 to 10 (seldom seen). Color: White group, RHS 155-D, Transparent.
    • Anthers.— Number: 5 to 10 (seldom seen). Color: Orange-white group, RHS 159-D.
    • Pollen.— Amount: Abundant. Color: Orange-white group, RHS 159-D.
• Gynoecium:
  • • Pistil.— Number: 2. Shape: Convex. Color: White group, RHS 155-D, Transparent.
    • Ovary.— Color: Yellow-green group, RHS 144-D.
    • Seeds.— Width: 1 mm. Length: 1 mm. Shape: Kidney-shaped. Texture: Canescent. Color: Black-Brown, brown group, RHS 200-A.
    • Fruit.— Width: 2 to 3 mm. Length: 2 to 3 mm. Shape: Oblate with conical tip. Color: Light Brown, greyed-yellow group, RHS 161-A.
• Disease resistance: Some resistance to powdery mildew.
• Disease susceptibility: No information is currently available.