Northstar Cotinus obovatus Cultivar Cold Hardiness and Bloom Traits

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cultivars of Cotinus obovatus lack sufficient cold hardiness and heavy blooming, with most being limited to USDA Zone 5 and lacking the robust pink inflorescences seen in Cotinus coggygria selections.

Innovation Solution

The development of the 'Northstar' cultivar, which is a naturally occurring mutation of Cotinus obovatus, exhibiting enhanced cold hardiness to USDA Zone 3, heavy production of showy pink inflorescences, drought tolerance, adaptability to poor soils and varying pH levels, and vibrant fall foliage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If Cotinus obovatus is grown in USDA Zone 3 conditions, then cold hardiness is improved, but typical Cotinus obovatus plants die in such harsh conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecold hardinessVSAvoidextreme cold damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent describes a naturally occurring mutation that changed the cold hardiness parameters of Cotinus obovatus, enabling survival in USDA Zone 3 conditions. The mutant plant exhibits altered physiological parameters including cold acclimation capability and winter hardiness traits that allow it to withstand temperatures below -50°F, whereas typical Cotinus obovatus is limited to Zone 5 and above.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If Cotinus obovatus produces heavy blooming, then showy pink inflorescences are produced, but typical selections lack robust pink inflorescences

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblooming quantityVSAvoidinflorescence quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mutant Cotinus obovatus exhibits changed flowering parameters including increased inflorescence density, larger panicle size, and more vibrant pink coloration. The plant produces masses of pink clusters similar to Cotinus coggygria, representing a significant deviation from the typical sparse or less showy blooming of standard Cotinus obovatus selections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If Cotinus obovatus is adapted to poor soils and varying pH levels, then drought tolerance and adaptability are improved, but typical Cotinus obovatus has limited adaptability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoil adaptabilityVSAvoidgrowth stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mutant plant exhibits altered soil adaptation parameters including tolerance to poor soil conditions, varying pH levels, and drought stress. The plant demonstrates enhanced root system development and water-use efficiency that enable reliable growth in challenging environments where typical Cotinus obovatus would struggle or fail to thrive.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUSPP21064P2Cotinus plant named Northstar

Publication Date: 2010.06.15 WALVATNE BRADLEY C

AI summary

A new cultivar of Cotinus obovatus, ‘Northstar’, characterized by its cold hardiness in U.S.D.A. Zone 3, its heavy bloom of pink inflorescences in mid summer, its red and orange fall foliage color, its drought tolerance once established, and its adaptability for growth in poor soils, a wide range of soil pH, and partial sun.