Hosta Seducer Variegation Stability via Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for a new hosta cultivar that combines specific traits such as cordate leaf blades with a yellowish green margin and bluish dark green center, a stable variegated leaf margin, and lavender buds opening to near white flowers, which are not found in existing hosta varieties like 'Déjà Blu'.

Innovation Solution

The development of the Hosta 'Seducer' hybrid, which results from open-pollination between Hosta 'Dorothy Benedict' and an unknown male parent, featuring cordate leaf blades, a unique variegation pattern, and taller flower scapes with lavender buds opening to near white flowers, and has been asexually propagated and stabilized through division and tissue culture.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of moving object

If Hosta 'Déjà Blu' is used as a reference cultivar, then it has white bolting between yellow margin and bluish green center, but it has smaller leaf size and blooms earlier with more lavender flowers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleaf sizeVSAvoidblooming time

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of moving objectVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating distinct color zones within the leaf blade - a yellowish green margin (2.5-4.0 cm wide) transitioning to a bluish dark green center, with creamy white bolting irregularly flashing between these zones. This localized color distribution creates the larger apparent leaf size and unique variegation pattern that distinguishes Hosta 'Seducer' from other cultivars.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Stability of the object's composition

If Hosta 'Dorothy Benedict' is used as the female parent, then it has unstable streaking throughout the leaf, but the new plant has stable variegated leaf margin

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevariegation stabilityVSAvoidleaf pattern complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the leaf blade into distinct color segments - a yellowish green margin zone (2.5-4.0 cm wide) and a bluish dark green center zone, separated by creamy white bolting. This segmented color distribution creates stable, predictable variegation patterns that do not streak or blend, providing compositional stability while maintaining visual complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If Hosta 'Seducer' is propagated by tissue culture, then it reproduces true to type with consistent traits, but requires controlled environmental conditions and specialized propagation techniques

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrait consistencyVSAvoidpropagation difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs tissue culture as an intermediary propagation method that mediates between the genetic material of Hosta 'Seducer' and the environment. This intermediary process allows for controlled reproduction under specialized conditions (sterile environments, nutrient media, temperature control) that ensure trait consistency and true-to-type reproduction, overcoming the difficulty of direct field propagation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUSPP22413P2Hosta plant named `Seducer`

Publication Date: 2011.12.27 ASCH STUART

AI summary

A new and distinct Hosta plant named ‘Seducer’ characterized by cordate leaves having variegated leaf margins of yellowish green, leaf centers of bluish dark green center and developing an irregular thin creamy white intermediate bolt between the margin and center, with near white flowers and light lavender buds on strong erect scapes.