Chrysanthemum plant

#The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Chrysanthemum morifolium, Ramat., hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name Plume (No. 73038057).

#Plume is a product of a planned breeding program which had the objective of creating new chrysanthemum cultivars with spider inflorescence type, with white or yellow inflorescence color, with 9 week flowering response, and with the ability to produce commercially acceptable quality in spring, summer and fall cut spray mum programs. Such traits in combination were not present in previously available commercial cultivars.

#Plume was originated from a cross made in a controlled breeding program in Barberton, Ohio in 1972. The female, or seed parent, was White Spider 2275 (No. 21660E02; unpatented; commercially available), a white spider of parentage unknown to the present inventors. The male, or pollen parent, of Plume was Yellow Daisy Pot (No. 2168AE01; unpatented; commercially available), a yellow spooned daisy sport of White Daisy Pot (No. 21680E01; unpatented; commercially available). White Daisy Pot, a white spooned daisy, is of parentage unknown to the present inventors.

#The accompanying photographic drawings show typical inflorescence and foliage characteristics of Plume with colors being as nearly true as possible with illustrations of this type. Sheet 1 is a color photograph of Plume. Sheet 2 is a black and white photograph showing three views of the inflorescence of Plume. Sheet 3 is a black and white photograph showing the foliage of Plume at three stages of growth.

#Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventors, the most similar existing cultivar in comparison to Plume is Super Yellow (No. 2166BE02; unpatented). Reference is made to the attached Chart B which compares certain characteristics of Plume with those same characteristics of Super Yellow. It will be noted that Plume has darker inflorescence color, smaller diameter across face of inflorescence, taller plant height, and shorter flowering response period. The inflorescence form and inflorescence type of Plume are similar to those same characteristics of Super Yellow.

#In the following description, color references are made to The Munsell Color Cascade, 1972 edition. The color values were determined between 10:00 and 10:30 A.M. on June 24, 1976 under 150 foot-candle light intensity at Barberton, Ohio.

#Botanical Classification: Chrysanthemum morifolium, Ramat., cv Plume.