Chrysanthemum plant named Legend

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

#Legend, identified as 82M18023, was originated from a cross made by Grace H. Mack in a controlled breeding program in New Canaan, Conn., in 1981. The parents of Legend were both unnamed seedlings.

#Legend was discovered and selected as one flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross by Cornelis P. VandenBerg in September 1982, in a controlled environment in Salinas, Calif.

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

#Sheet 1 is a color photograph of Legend grown as a pinched spray pot mum.

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

#Of the commercial cultivars known to the inventors, the most similar in comparison to Legend is Goldmine, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,661. Reference is made to attached Chart A, which compares certain characteristics of Legend to the same characteristics of Goldmine.

#Similar traits are ray floret color, capitulum type and controlled flowering response. The capitulum form of Legend is more flat, with a slightly smaller diameter across face of capitulum than Goldmine. Legend has more vigor, a more uniform response, and an earlier response than Goldmine in natural season fall flowerings.

#In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Color Chart. The color values were determined on plant material grown outside in Salinas, Calif. on Aug. 25, 1986.