Bi-Colored Ipomoea Cultivar with Trailing Growth Habit
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a distinct cultivar of Ipomoea batatas that exhibits unique characteristics such as a combination of upright and trailing growth habit, dense and bushy foliage, rapid growth rate, and specific leaf coloration, which are not met by existing cultivars like 'Blackie' and 'Sweet Caroline Sweetheart Purple', and differ from 'NCORNSP-011MONTC' in leaf shape and color.
Innovation Solution
The 'Grand Marble' cultivar, a naturally occurring branch mutation of Ipomoea batatas 'Blackie', is characterized by its initially upright then trailing growth habit, freely branching and dense bushy growth, rapid growth rate, and dark purple and green bi-colored cordate-shaped leaves, which are stable and reproduce true to type through asexual reproduction by cuttings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If solid dark purple leaves like 'Blackie' are used, then color uniformity is maintained, but visual distinction and ornamental value are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating leaves with non-uniform color distribution, specifically featuring dark purple centers with green margins or sectors. This local variation in color quality provides visual distinction and ornamental value while maintaining the overall dark purple theme, resolving the contradiction between color uniformity and visual distinction.
2Device complexity
If upright growth habit is maintained, then plant structure is simple, but trailing ornamental effect is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by creating a plant with variable growth habit that transitions from upright to trailing. The plant exhibits indeterminate growth where stems initially grow upright but then trail along the ground or support structures, providing both structural simplicity and ornamental trailing effect throughout the plant's development cycle.
3Productivity
If rapid growth rate is achieved, then productivity is improved, but control over plant morphology becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by selecting and propagating a mutant plant that naturally exhibits both rapid growth rate and desirable trailing morphology. Through asexual reproduction by cuttings, these morphological parameters are stabilized and reproduced true to type, allowing rapid propagation of plants with controlled, consistent morphology despite the rapid growth rate.
Data Source
AI summary
A new and distinct cultivar of Ipomoea plant named ‘Grand Marble’, characterized by its initially upright then trailing plant habit; freely branching habit, dense and bushy growth habit; rapid growth rate; and dark purple and green bi-colored cordate-shaped leaves.