Schefflera ‘Mato’: Compact Growth, Darker Foliage, Rapid Production

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for a new and distinct cultivar of Schefflera that offers improved compact growth habit, darker foliage, and rapid growth rate, while maintaining the horticultural characteristics of existing Schefflera species.

Innovation Solution

The development of Schefflera 'Mato', a new cultivar resulting from a naturally induced whole plant mutation of Schefflera schizophylla, characterized by an upright plant habit, rapid growth rate, and palmately compound leaves, which are darker green compared to the parent plant.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If a new Schefflera cultivar is developed to have a more compact growth habit, then the plant density and space utilization are improved, but the plant height and overall size are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplant volumeVSAvoidplant height

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by selecting and propagating a mutant plant with altered growth parameters. The cultivar 'Mato' exhibits a more compact growth habit with a height of 50-150 cm and a globular shape, representing a change in the plant's dimensional parameters compared to the parent species while maintaining its ornamental value

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Illumination intensity

If the foliage color is changed to darker green, then the visual contrast and ornamental value are improved, but the chlorophyll concentration and photosynthetic capacity are increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefoliage color darknessVSAvoidphotosynthetic energy absorption

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies color changes by selecting a mutant plant with darker green foliage. The cultivar 'Mato' displays foliage that is distinctly darker green than the parent Schefflera schizophylla, enhancing its ornamental appearance through altered pigmentation while the plant maintains healthy photosynthetic function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

3Productivity

If the growth rate is increased to rapid, then the productivity and time to marketability are improved, but the plant control and uniformity are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrowth rateVSAvoidgrowth uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service through vegetative propagation by cuttings. The cultivar 'Mato' reproduces true to type asexually, allowing rapid multiplication of uniform plants from single cuttings. This propagation method ensures that all new plants inherit the rapid growth rate and compact habit of the parent, maintaining genetic uniformity while achieving high productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUSPP36797P2<i>Schefflera </i>plant named ‘Mato’

Publication Date: 2025.07.01 CORN BAK

AI summary

A new and distinct cultivar of Schefflera plant named ‘Mato’ is disclosed, characterized by a compact growth habit, and palmately compound leaves. Plants grow rapidly and are suitable for commercial production in 13 cm and larger pots. The new variety is a Schefflera, typically produced as an ornamental plant.