Cortaderia Silver Star Cultivar Foliage Pattern Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for a new cultivar of pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana) that retains distinctive characteristics through asexual reproduction and offers improved hardiness and unique foliage patterns.

Innovation Solution

The 'Silver Star' cultivar, originating from Cortaderia selloana 'Pumila', exhibits a broad inverted triangle shape with arching leaves and greyed-green inflorescences, featuring long green leaves with yellow-green stripes, moderate vigor, and hardiness to at least USDA zone 7, achieved through asexual reproduction and propagation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a new cultivar is created through mutation, then unique foliage patterns and distinctive characteristics are achieved, but reliability of characteristic retention through asexual reproduction must be verified

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveunique foliage patternVSAvoidcharacteristic retention

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies parameter changes by selecting and propagating a specific mutation variant with altered foliar pigmentation parameters. The yellow-green stripes on green foliage represent a change in color parameters that was identified and then stabilized through repeated asexual propagation to ensure reliable retention of these distinctive characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses copying through asexual reproduction methods (division and tissue culture) to replicate the mutated plant exactly. This ensures that the unique foliage pattern and other distinctive characteristics are copied faithfully from the original mutant plant to all propagated specimens, maintaining reliability of characteristic retention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Adaptability or versatility

If hardiness is improved for colder zones, then adaptability to different environments is enhanced, but selection for specific ornamental characteristics may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehardiness zone rangeVSAvoidornamental characteristic selection

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention achieves universality by creating a cultivar that simultaneously provides multiple functions: ornamental value through yellow-green striped foliage and ecological function through hardiness to USDA zone 7. This multi-functional cultivar can be used in both ornamental landscaping and in colder climate zones, expanding its adaptability without compromising either characteristic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If vigorous growth is increased, then productivity and coverage are improved, but control over plant size and shape becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrowth rateVSAvoidsize control

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies local quality by creating a cultivar with moderate vigor that allows for controlled growth in specific areas. The plant exhibits sufficient productivity to provide good coverage and ornamental impact, but the growth rate is moderated to allow for easier size control and maintenance in landscaping applications compared to high-vigor varieties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUSPP18890P2Cortaderia plant named `Silver Star `

Publication Date: 2008.06.03 GEBR V D SALM

AI summary

A new variety of Cortaderia plant particularly distinguished by having a broad inverted triangle shape with arching leaves and greyed-green inflorescences, long green leaves with yellow-green stripes, moderate vigor and hardiness to at least USDA zone, is disclosed.