Petunia plant named ‘KLEPH24698’

Abstract

A new Petunia plant particularly distinguished by large white flowers; and a trailing to semi-trailing plant habit. is disclosed.

Description

[0001] Genus and species: Petunia x atkinsiana (syn. P. x hybrida).

[0002] Variety denomination: ‘KLEPH24698’.BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

[0003] The present invention comprises a new and distinct variety of Petunia, botanically known as Petunia x atkinsiana (syn. P. x hybrida) and hereinafter referred to by the variety name ‘KLEPH24698’. ‘KLEPH24698’ is a selection from a controlled cross between the proprietary female Petunia line Petunia ‘PH-2018-4359’ (unpatented) and the male Petunia line ‘PH-2018-4389’ (unpatented).

[0004] In July of 2019, the proprietary female Petunia line ‘PH-2018-4359’ and the proprietary male Petunia line ‘PH-2018-4389’ were cross pollinated in Latina, Italy and seeds were obtained. The seeds were sown and plants were grown for evaluation. A plant line was selected in April 2020 in Latina, Italy and named ‘KLEPH24698’. In May 2020, ‘KLEPH24698’ was first vegetatively propagated by terminal tip cuttings and tissue culture in Latina, Italy. ‘KLEPH24698’ was found to reproduce true to type in successive generations of asexual propagation via tissue culture and terminal tip cuttings.SUMMARY

[0005] The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new variety when grown under normal horticultural practices in Latina, Italy.

[0006] 1. Large white flowers; and

[0007] 2. Trailing to semi-trailing plant habit.DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

[0008] This new Petunia plant is illustrated by the accompanying photograph, which shows flowers of the plant. The plant is about twenty-weeks-old grown in Stuttgart, Germany in August 2024. 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 ‘KLEPH24698’. The data which define these characteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out in Latina, Italy. Data was collected on thirteen-week-old plants grown indoors in Latina, Italy under greenhouse conditions in May 2025. Color references are to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.), 5th edition (2007).

[0010] Classification:

[0011] Family.—Solanaceae.

[0012] Species.—Petunia x atkinsiana (syn. P. x hybrida).

[0013] Common name.—Petunia.

[0014] Variety.—‘KLEPH24698’.

[0015] Parentage:

[0016] Female parent.—Petunia ‘PH-2018-4359’ (unpatented).

[0017] Male parent.—Petunia ‘PH-2018-4389’ (unpatented).

[0018] Plant:

[0019] Form and habit.—Medium to high vigor, semi-trailing to trailing habit.

[0020] Height (from top of soil).—20.0 cm.

[0021] Width (horizontal plant diameter).—60.0 cm.

[0022] Propagation type.—Vegetative by terminal tip cuttings and tissue culture.

[0023] Time to produce a finished flowering plant.—About 12 weeks in winter under short day conditions, about 6.5 weeks in spring.

[0024] Time to initiate and develop roots.—2 to 3 weeks.

[0025] Root description.—Moderate density, moderate branching, white roots (RHS 155C).

[0026] Stems:

[0027] Average number (basal).—7.

[0028] Length of basal branches (from the base of the stem to the tip).—35.0 cm.

[0029] Internode length.—1.0 cm.

[0030] Diameter of branches (from midpoint).—0.3 cm.

[0031] Stem color.—RHS 144B.

[0032] Anthocyanin.—Absent.

[0033] Texture.—Pubescent.

[0034] Leaves:

[0035] Arrangement.—Alternate along the stem and opposite under the inflorescence.

[0036] Length.—Up to 5.0 cm.

[0037] Width.—2.5 cm.

[0038] Shape.—Elliptic.

[0039] Apex.—Slightly obtuse.

[0040] Base.—Attenuate.

[0041] Margin.—Entire.

[0042] Immature leaf color.—Upper surface: RHS 138A. Lower surface: RHS 138B.

[0043] Mature leaf color.—Upper surface: RHS 137B. Lower surface: RHS 138B.

[0044] Texture.—Upper surface: Pubescent. Lower surface: Pubescent.

[0045] Venation pattern.—Arcuate.

[0046] Venation color.—Upper surface: RHS 137B. Lower surface: RHS 145B.

[0047] Petioles.—Length: 0.4 cm. Diameter: 0.3 cm. Color: RHS 145A. Texture: Pubescent.

[0048] Flower bud:

[0049] Shape.—Irregularly oblong.

[0050] Length.—5.3 cm.

[0051] Diameter.—0.9 cm.

[0052] Color at tight bud.—RHS 2D.

[0053] Texture.—Pubescent.

[0054] Inflorescence:

[0055] Blooming habit (flowering season).—Continuously flowering during spring and summertime.

[0056] Inflorescence type.—Sympodial, with monochasial growth.

[0057] Number of flowers per node.—1.

[0058] Lastingness of individual blooms on the plant.—12 days.

[0059] Fragrance.—Absent.

[0060] Flowers.—Arrangement: Composed of 5 petals, fused at the base. Diameter (flower face): 7.0 cm. Depth (total length of flower): 6.5 cm. Throat / Funnel: Length: 3.0 cm. Diameter (at opening): 0.7 cm. Texture: Inner surface: Smooth. Outer surface: Pubescent. Color: Inner surface: RHS 149D. Outer surface: RHS 149D and veins RHS 149A. Petals: Color, mature flower (fully opened): Upper surface: RHS NN155D. Lower surface: RHS NN155D. Apex: Cuspidate. Base: Fused. Shape: Funnelform. Margin: Entire. Strength of waviness: Medium. Degree of lobation: Medium.

[0061] Calyx arrangement.—5 sepals fused at the base. Color: Upper surface: RHS 137B. Lower surface: RHS 137C. Length: 1.5 cm. Width: 0.3 cm. Shape: Linear. Apex: Acute. Base: Attenuate. Margin: Entire. Texture: Upper surface: Pubescent. Lower surface: Pubescent.

[0062] Pedicels.—Color: RHS 144A to RHS 144B. Length: 2.7 cm. Diameter: 0.15 cm. Texture: Pubescent.

[0063] Reproductive organs:

[0064] Stamens.—Quantity: 5. Shape: Needle with oblong head. Filament: Length: From 0.9 cm to 1.2 cm. Diameter: 0.01 cm. Color: RHS 157A. Anther: Shape: Oblong. Color: RHS 155A. Length: 0.2 cm. Diameter: 0.15 cm. Pollen: Color: RHS 158A. Amount: Sparse.

[0065] Pistils.—Quantity per flower: 1. Length: 2.5 cm. Stigma color: RHS 145B. Style color: RHS 145C.

[0066] Fruit and seed set: None observed.

[0067] Disease and pest / insect resistance: None observed.COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL LINES AND KNOWN VARIETY

[0068] ‘KLEPH24698’ is a distinct variety of Petunia. ‘KLEPH24698’ is distinguished from its parents as described in Table 1:

[0069] TABLE 1Comparison with Parental LinesSubject VarietyCharacteristic‘KLEPH24698’Female parentMale ParentFlower sizeLarger than the femaleSmaller thanSmaller thanand male parents‘KLEPH24698’‘KLEPH24698’Growing habitSemi-trailing to trailingMoundingSemi-trailing

[0070] ‘KLEPH24698’ is most similar to the commercial Petunia plant named Surfinia White ‘Revolution White’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,768) Differences between the two varieties are described in Table 2:

[0071] TABLE 2Comparison with Similar VarietyCommercial lineSubject VarietySurfinia WhiteCharacteristic‘KLEPH24698’‘Revolution White’Growing habitSemi trailing to trailingVery flatFlowerWell open corolla with a Closer to a funnel pure white flower colorshaped corollaEarlinessAt least one week earlier:At least one week later:in average 12 weeks fromabout 13 weeks in potting to have a finishedwinter and 8 in spring.flowering plant in winter, under short day length, and 6.5 weeks in spring.

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of Petunia plant named ‘KLEPH24698’ as illustrated and described herein.

Images