Osteospermum plant named `Mira`

#The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Osteospermum plant, botanically known as Osteospermum eklonis and referred to by the cultivar name `Mira`.

#The new cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor in Gensingen, Germany. The objective of the breeding program was to create new compact Osteospermum cultivars with early and continuous flowering.

#The new cultivar originated from a cross made by the inventor of the commercial Osteospermum ecklonis cultivar `Sunny Lady` (disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,353 ) as the female, or seed, parent and the inventor's proprietary selection of Osteospermum ecklonis, code No. 5255 as the male, or pollen, parent, The new Osteospermum was selected by the inventor from the progeny of this cross in a controlled environment in Gensingen, Germany, during the summer of 1993.

#The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new cultivar, showing the colors as true as it is erasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type.

#The photograph at the top of the sheet comprises a top perspective view of a typical flowering plant of `Mira`.

#The photograph at the bottom of the sheet is a close-up view of a typical inflorescence of `Mira`. Foliage and floret colors in the photographs may appear different from the actual colors due to light reflectance.

#In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe plants grown outdoors in containers during the spring and summer in Encinitas, Calif. Measurements and numerical values represent averages for typical flowering plants.

#Botanical Classification: Osteospermum ecklonis cultivar `Mira`.

#Parentage: