Osteospermum plant named ‘Sunny Stephanie’

#Genus and species of the plant claimed: Osteospermum ecklonis (DC) T. Norl.

#Variety denomination: ‘Sunny Stephanie’.

#The present Invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Osteospermum plant, botanically known as Osteospermum ecklonis (DC) T. Norl., commonly known by the name Cape Daisy and hereinafter referred to by the name ‘Sunny Stephanie’.

#The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Osteospermum cultivar ‘Sunny Stephanie’ showing the colors as true as is reasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the color of the new Osteospermum cultivar ‘Sunny Stephanie’.

#The first photograph comprises a side perspective view of a typical flowering plant of ‘Sunny Stephanie’ as grown in an 11 cm pot.

#The second photograph is a close-up of the young and older inflorescences of ‘Sunny Stephanie’.

#In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 4th edition, where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. Plants were grown under greenhouse conditions. The plants described were grown for about 20 weeks after cutting. Plant description: Form.—Perennial plant with upright plant habit; composite head flowers; freely branching with lateral flowering branches forming at every node; dense and bushy. Crop time.—After rooting, about 18 weeks are required to produce finished flowering plants in 11 cm pots. Plant height (soil level to top of plant plane).—About 20 cm. Plant width (diameter).—Typical: 18 cm. Observed: 17-20 cm. Vigor.—Moderately vigorous growth rate. TIme to initiate roots.—About 10 to 14 days at 18 to 21° C. in tunnels in a greenhouse. Root description.—Fine, well branched. Foliage description.—Leaves alternate, single, pinnate venation. Length: 4-7 cm. Width: About 30 mm. Shape: Obovate. Apex: obtuse. Base: attenuate. Margin: broadly dentate. Texture: smooth, glabrous, shiny. Scattered short, stiff hairs. Color: Young foliage, upper and lower surfaces: RHS 147B, yellow-green. Mature foliage, upper surface RHS N147A; lower surface RHS 148A, yellow-green. Venation, RHS 148A. Inflorescence description: Inflorescence arrangement and shape.—Tubular disk and ray florets in composite daisy heads; with 15 parted involucre; inflorescence diameter: 4-6 cm; sturdy peduncles. Natural flowering season.—Continuous throughout the spring and summer. Season can be extended by vernalization and long day treatments. Inflorescence longevity on the plant.—Longevity of individual inflorescences is highly dependent on temperature and light conditions 5 to 6 days. Inflorescences persistent, ray florets folding and withering slowly. Inflorescence diameter.—About 5 cm. Inflorescence depth.—Typical: 6 mm. Observed: composite head 6 mm. Inflorescences.—Ray Florets: Typical number of ray florets per inflorescence: 17. Observed number of ray florets per inflorescence: 15-18. Length: Ray petals: About 27 mm. Width (diameter): About 8 mm. Ray floret apex: lanceolate, acute. Ray floret base: attenuate. Ray floret margin: entire. Ray floret color: Upper surfaces, purple RHS N78A with stripes of purple, RHS N77B, to red-purple, RHS 59C with stripes of RHS N57B, red-purple. Disk florets.—Typical number of disks florets per inflorescence: 60. Observed number of disks florets per inflorescence: 50-70. Length: Disk florets: About 6 mm. Width (diameter): About 3 mm. Disk floret overall shape: tubular. Disk floret apex: attenuate. Disk floret base: fused. Disk floret margin: entire. Disk floret color: RHS79B, dark purple. Peduncle.—Strength: Moderately strong. Length: About 5 cm. Diameter: About 3 mm. Color: 144C yellow-green. Phyllary.—Typical number of phyllaries: 15. Observed number of phyllaries: 12-16. Length: 6-12 mm. Width: 1-3. Overall shape: lanceolate. Apex shape: accuminate. Base shape: fused. Margin: entire. Color: Upper surface: RHS 137D, green; lower surface: RHS 137D, green. Reproductive organs: Androecium.—Location: disc florets only.Anthers: Linear fused, stamen color RHS 202A, black. Pollen: RHS 26A, Orange. Gynoecium.—Location of gynoecium: ray and disc florets. Pistil and stigma: Typical pistil number: 1. Observed pistil number: 1. Stigma color: RHS 16C, yellow-orange. Seed: Length: About 1 mm. Diameter: About 0.3 mm. Disease/pest resistance: Good. Disease/pest susceptibility: Low. Weather tolerance: Plants of the new Osteospermum have exhibited good tolerance to draught, rain and wind, temperature down to −1° C. (30° F.).