Chrysanthemum plant named Vero

#The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Chrysanthemum, botanically known as Chrysanthemum morifolium, Ramat., and referred to by the cultivar name Vero.

#Vero, identified as 81064002, was originated from a cross made in a controlled breeding program in Salinas, Calif. in 1981.

#The female parent and the male parent of Vero were both unnamed seedlings.

#The accompanying photographic drawings show typical inflorescence and leaf characteristics of Vero, with the colors being as nearly true as possible with illustrations of this type.

#Sheet 1 is a color photograph of Vero grown as a single stem cut spray mum.

#Sheet 2 is a black and white photograph of three views of the inflorescence of Vero.

#Of the commercial cultivars known to the inventors, the most similar in comparison to Vero is White Marble. Reference is made to attached Chart A, which compares certain characteristics of Vero to the same characteristics of White Marble.

#Similar traits are capitulum form and type, ray floret color, plant height and low temperature tolerance. The peduncle length of Vero is shorter than that of White Marble. Vero has a slightly smaller diameter of capitulum than White Marble. Under adverse conditions White Marble exhibits compounding of the spray formation and develops bract tissue in the disc. The spray formation of Vero is always terminal, with no development of bracts. Vero has a better flower form retention than White Marble. Flowering response to short days of Vero is 3 to 5 days faster than that of White Marble, with a superior uniformity of flowering than White Marble.

#In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart. The pure white ray floret color of Vero is not represented in The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart. The color values were determined on plant material grown in Salinas, Calif. on Aug. 21, 1986.