Hydrangea KLAHYFLA Cultivar with Dark Stems and Pink Inflorescences

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for a new cultivar of Hydrangea macrophylla that exhibits distinct characteristics such as dark purple-brown stems and unique inflorescence colors, as existing cultivars like 'Verena' and 'Nigra' differ in stem strength and flower color.

Innovation Solution

The cultivar 'KLAHYFLA' is a naturally occurring branch mutation of Hydrangea 'Verena' with stable characteristics reproduced through asexual propagation by softwood stem cuttings, featuring light pink to purple-pink sterile flowers and dark purple-brown stems, resembling 'Zebra' but with stronger inflorescences and stems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If the cultivar 'Nigra' is used, then dark stems are achieved, but the inflorescences become smaller and less sturdy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestem colorVSAvoidinflorescence sturdiness

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by selecting for specific traits in different parts of the plant: dark purple-brown stem color in the stems while maintaining sturdy, strong inflorescences. This resolves the contradiction by having different qualities in different parts rather than uniform characteristics throughout the plant.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Shape

If the cultivar 'Zebra' is used, then dark stems are achieved, but the sterile flowers become white instead of pink

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestem colorVSAvoidflower color vibrancy

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by having dark purple-brown stems while maintaining light pink to purple-pink colored sterile flowers. This resolves the contradiction by allowing different color characteristics in different parts of the plant, specifically keeping the flower color vibrant and pink rather than white.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Use of energy by moving object

If the parent cultivar 'Verena' is used, then pink inflorescences are achieved, but the stem strength and sturdiness are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflower colorVSAvoidstem strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by maintaining the light pink to purple-pink flower color characteristic of 'Verena' while simultaneously developing dark purple-brown, sturdy stems. This resolves the contradiction by having different qualities in different parts of the plant.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies composite materials by combining genetic traits from different sources to create a composite cultivar that exhibits both the pink flower coloration of 'Verena' and the dark, sturdy stem characteristics similar to 'Nigra' and 'Zebra'.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUSPP27598P2<i>Hydrangea </i> plant named ‘KLAHYFLA’

Publication Date: 2017.01.24 KOLK JACOBUS WILHELMUS PETRUS

AI summary

A new cultivar of Hydrangea macrophylla named ‘KLAHYFLA’ that is characterized by its inflorescence with sepals of the sterile flowers that open light pink with a light greenish white base and mature to light purple-pink, its sturdy stems that are dark purple-brown (near black) in color, and its free flowering habit with sturdy inflorescences.