Miscanthus 'Encore' cultivar repeat flowering traits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Miscanthus sinensis cultivars lack a combination of traits such as a taller habit, extended flowering period, and repeat flowering, which limits their ornamental and cut foliage and flower use in landscapes.
Innovation Solution
The development of the 'Encore' cultivar, which results from open pollination between Miscanthus sinensis 'Huron Sunrise' and unknown male parents, exhibiting a taller habit, earlier and repeated flowering, lighter creamy tan seed heads, and unique foliage characteristics, achieved through asexual propagation by division and sterile shoot tissue culture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If conventional Miscanthus sinensis cultivars are used, then they have established ornamental value, but they lack taller habit and extended flowering period
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by selecting and breeding plants with specific genetic traits that result in altered growth parameters. The 'Encore' cultivar exhibits changed parameters including increased plant height (120-150 cm compared to typical cultivars), extended flowering duration (8-10 weeks versus 4-6 weeks), and repeated flowering cycles. These parameter changes were achieved through controlled breeding and selection processes that modified the genetic expression of growth and flowering traits.
2Duration of action of moving object
If single-season flowering cultivars are used, then they have simple growth cycle, but they lack repeat flowering capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action through the repeat flowering characteristic of the 'Encore' cultivar, which produces multiple distinct flowering cycles within a single growing season. The plant exhibits an initial flowering period followed by a dormant phase, then a second flowering period with different floral characteristics. This periodic flowering pattern extends the overall ornamental duration while creating a more complex but manageable growth cycle that can be utilized in landscape design.
3Adaptability or versatility
If cultivars with extended flowering period are developed, then ornamental value is enhanced, but breeding complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves universality by developing a cultivar that serves multiple ornamental functions throughout the growing season. The 'Encore' cultivar provides foliage interest, first-generation flowering, second-generation flowering, and winter stem persistence, making it a multi-functional plant for landscape applications. This multi-functionality was achieved through breeding that selected for complementary traits rather than optimizing for a single characteristic, thereby enhancing ornamental versatility while managing breeding complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A new and distinct cultivar of ornamental Miscanthus sinensis plant named ‘Encore’ useful in the landscape en masse, small group or single specimen with dense upright culms and arching foliage having dark green color and near-white midribs. The flower habit is open and at varying heights creating a rounded dome outline beginning in early fall with repeat flush about two to three weeks later, and effective through the winter.