African violet plant named Memphis

#The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of African violet plant, botanically known as Saintpaulia ionantha, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name Memphis.

#The new cultivar was referred to during the breeding and selection process by the designation H 78/2, and is a product of a planned breeding program. The new cultivar was originated from a cross made by me in the controlled breeding program in Isselburg, Federal Republic of Germany. The female, or seed parent was a cultivar designated 69 Red Single. The male, or pollen parent was a cultivar designated E 148/1 Rose Star.

#Memphis was discovered and selected by me in 1982 as a flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment in Haffen, Federal Republic of Germany. Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by leaf cuttings, as performed by me at Haffen, Federal Republic of Germany, has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

#The accompanying color photographic drawing shows a typical specimen plant of the new cultivar. The colors appearing in the photograph are as true as possible with color illustrations of this type.

#In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (RHS), except where general colors of ordinary significance are referred to. Color values were taken under natural sunlight at approximately 2:00 p.m. in Nashville, Tenn.

#Botanical classification: Saintpaulia ionantha, Ramat., cv. Memphis.

#Parentage: