Ornamental sweetpotato plant named `Sweet Caroline Bronze`

Abstract

A new and distinct ornamental cultivar of Ipomoea batatas called `Sweet Caroline Bronze` is described as having a compact, mounded appearance with dense foliage and with a leaf shape typical of morning glory. The plant is distinguished from current cultivars known to the inventors by its striking color combination; mature leaves have a bronze to purple-bronze color with purple veins and stems which contrast sharply with the new shoots, which are chartreuse in color. Furthermore, this plant has good vigor and flowers under short day conditions. Ipomoea batatas `Sweet Caroline Bronze` is suitable for use in landscaping and containerized gardens.

Description

Latin name of the genus and species: The Latin name of the novel, ornamental plant variety disclosed herein is Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.Variety Denomination:The inventive cultivar of Ipomoea batatas disclosed herein has been given the variety denomination `Sweet Caroline Bronze`.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONIpomoea batatas species are members of the morning glory family Convolvulaceae. Ipomoea batatas, commonly referred to as the white or yellow sweetpotato and the orange yarn, are typically fast growing vines with palmately-lobed leaves. These ornamental species produce storage roots identical in appearance to the common sweet potato, but not as palatable. Late in the growing season, tubular flowers appear which are similar to morning glories, but plantings are dominated by the appearance of the foliage. The plants are highly desirable due to their ability to grow under varied stress conditions, cover a large space, and last the entire growing season. Moreover, these plants have few ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present Ipomoea batatas `Sweet Caroline Bronze` ornamental plant has a very distinct coloration; new shoots are chartreuse green in color, while mature leaves have a bronze to purple-bronze color with purple veins and stems. The leaves are moderately lobed with three to five lobes. `Sweet Caroline Bronze` has a compact, mounded shape with dense foliage. Furthermore, this plant has good vigor. Cultivar `Sweet Caroline Bronze` will flower under short day conditions.

Problems solved by technology

It is not suitable for mixed containers, as this variety exhibits a very vigorous growth and tends to out-compete other species.

Another popular variety is `Blackie`, a vigorous purple-leaved clone which is also unsuited to containerized gardens.

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