Calibrachoa plant with radially symmetric coloration

Abstract

The present invention relates to Calibrachoa plants displaying at least one inflorescence with a radially symmetric pattern along the center of the fused petal margins, wherein the pattern extends from the center of the inflorescence and does not fade during the life of the inflorescence.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A Calibrachoa plant comprising at least one inflorescence with a radially symmetric pattern along the center of the fused petal margins, wherein said pattern extends from the center of the inflorescence and does not fade during the life of the inflorescence,
 and wherein the Calibrachoa plant comprises a single half-dominant gene, as found in Calibrachoa variety ‘Cherry Star,’ representative seed having been deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-13363.   
     
     
       2. The Calibrachoa plant of  claim 1 , wherein said radially symmetric pattern is yellow, white, cream, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
       3. The Calibrachoa plant of  claim 1 , wherein said radially symmetric pattern extends from the center of the inflorescence to the edge of the petals. 
     
     
       4. The Calibrachoa plant of  claim 1 , wherein said radially symmetric pattern extends from the center of the inflorescence to more than halfway towards the edge of the petals. 
     
     
       5. The Calibrachoa plant of  claim 1 , A Calibrachoa plant comprising at least one inflorescence with a radially symmetric pattern along the center of the fused petal margins, wherein said pattern extends from the center of the inflorescence and does not fade during the life of the inflorescence,
 and wherein the Calibrachoa plant comprises a single half-dominant gene, as found in Calibrachoa variety ‘Cherry Star,’ representative seed having been deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-13363,  
 wherein said radially symmetric pattern extends from the center of the inflorescence to less than halfway towards the edge of the petals. 
 
     
     
       6. The Calibrachoa plant of  claim 1 , wherein said radially symmetric pattern extends any distance between the center of the inflorescence and the edge of the petals. 
     
     
       7. The Calibrachoa plant of  claim 1 , wherein said radially symmetric pattern has a color that is not the same as the petal color. 
     
     
       8. A Calibrachoa plant of  claim 1 , wherein the plant is produced from seeds having ATCC Deposit Accession No. PTA-13363, which is the variety ‘Cherry Star’. 
     
     
       9. A method for producing a Calibrachoa plant comprising at least one inflorescence with a radially symmetric pattern along the center of the fused petal margins, comprising
 (a) crossing, as the male or female parent, the Calibrachoa plant of  claim 1  comprising at least one inflorescence with said radially symmetric pattern, with a Calibrachoa plant that does not comprise an inflorescence with said radially symmetric pattern, and   (b) selecting progeny that have said radially symmetric pattern wherein said radially symmetric pattern extends from the center of the inflorescence towards the edge of the petals and does not fade during the life of the inflorescence.   
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9 , wherein said radially symmetric pattern extends from the center of the inflorescence to the edge of the petals. 
     
     
       11. A Calibrachoa plant produced by the method of  claim 9 , wherein tissue from said plant can be asexually propagated to produce a Calibrachoa plant comprising inflorescence with said radially symmetric pattern. 
     
     
       12. A method for asexually reproducing a Calibrachoa plant having at least one inflorescence with a radially symmetric pattern along the center of the fused petal margins, comprising
 (a) obtaining a tissue cutting from the Calibrachoa plant of  claim 1 ,   (b) culturing said tissue cutting under conditions sufficient to produce a plantlet with roots and shoots; and   (c) growing said plantlet to produce a plant, wherein said pattern extends from the center of the inflorescence towards the edge of the petals and does not fade during the life of the inflorescence.   
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12 , wherein said radially symmetric pattern extends from the center of the inflorescence to the edge of the petals. 
     
     
       14. A method for sexually reproducing a Calibrachoa plant comprising at least one inflorescence with a radially symmetric pattern along the center of the fused petal margins, comprising
 (a) selfing the Calibrachoa plant of  claim 1  comprising at least one inflorescence with said radially symmetric pattern; and   (b) selecting progeny that have said radially symmetric pattern wherein said radially symmetric pattern extends from the center of the inflorescence towards the edge of the petals and does not fade during the life of the inflorescence.   
     
     
       15. A method for sexually reproducing a Calibrachoa plant comprising at least one inflorescence with a radially symmetric pattern along the center of the fused petal margins, comprising
 (a) crossing, as the male or female parent, the Calibrachoa plant of  claim 1  comprising at least one inflorescence with said radially symmetric pattern, with a Calibrachoa plant comprising an inflorescence with said radially symmetric pattern; and   (b) selecting progeny that have said radially symmetric pattern wherein said radially symmetric pattern extends from the center of the inflorescence towards the edge of the petals and does not fade during the life of the inflorescence.