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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the new and distinct
cultivar of Hosta, botanically known as Hosta
sieboldiana (Lodd.) Engl., and hereinafter referred
to as the cultivar 'Eskimo Pie'.
The new plant was discovered by the inventor,
Clarence (C.H.) Falstad, III, as a non-induced, naturally occurring
whole plant mutation of Hosta Northern Exposure' (not patented) in a plant tissue culture laboratory at a
nursery in Zeeland, Mich., USA. Asexual propagation of
the plant at the same nursery by tissue culture and
division has shown that the unique and distinct
characteristics of this new plant are stable and
reproduce true to type in successive generations.
Hosta 'Northern Exposure' is a sport of Hosta
sieboldiana Elegans' (not patented). 'Elegans' is a large plant
with glaucous rugose leaves. Hosta Northern Exposure' has a wide creamy-colored leaf margin and a
blue-green glaucous center. 'Eskimo Pie' has the same
cream-colored center as the leaf margin of 'Northern Exposure' and the same blue-green margin as the leaf
center of 'Northern Exposure; a reverse pattern.
The most similar varieties in pattern are 'Dream Weaver' (not patented), 'Great Expectations' (not patented) and 'Thunderbolt' (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 14,232). All three
cultivars differ from 'Eskimo Pie' in having leaf
centers that are more yellowish-green in the spring, and
stay more yellow than 'Eskimo Pie' through the summer
under identical growing conditions. 'Dream Weaver, a
sport of 'Great Expectations' (which is a sport of 'Elegans), and 'Thunderbolt.htm">Thunderbolt, a sport of 'Elegans,
appear nearly identical to each other. Both 'Dream Weaver' and 'Thunderbolt' have a much wider margin than
either 'Great Expectations' or 'Eskimo Pie, and they
retain the same heavier yellowish pigment to the leaf
center of 'Great Expectations'.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Hosta 'Eskimo Pie' is unique from its parent sport, Hosta
Northern Exposure' and all other hosta
cultivars, in several traits. The plant has the
following unique characteristics:
o
1. It emerges yellowish-cream in the leaf centers and
lightens to a creamy white in the summer.
o
2. There are several different intermediate shades of
green between the margin and the center as a result of
the histogenic layers overlapping each other in uneven
patterns.
o
3. Mature leaves are nearly round, rugose, and have a
glucous coating on both sides.
o
4. The flowers are near-white.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The photographs of the new invention demonstrate the
overall appearance of the plant including the unique
traits. The colors are as accurate as reasonably
possible with color reproductions. Some slight variation
of color may occur as a result of lighting quality,
intensity, wavelength, direction or reflection.
FIG. 1 shows the whole plant.
FIG. 2 shows a close-up of the flower and scape.
FIG. 3 shows a leaf with the intricate leaf colors.
DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION
The following descriptions and color references are
based on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (2001 edition) except where common dictionary terms are
used. The new plant, Hosta Eskimo Pie, has not
been observed under all possible environments. The
phenotype may vary slightly with different environmental
conditions, such as temperature, light, fertility and
moisture, but without any change in the genotype. The
following observations and size descriptions are of a
four-year old plant in a two-gallon container grown in
Zeeland, Mich., USA under 50% shade on cloudless days,
day temperatures of 18 cm (7 in.) to 28 degrees C., and night
temperatures of 15 to 20 degrees C.
+ Botanical Classification: Hosta
sieboldiana cultivar 'Eskimo Pie'.
+ Parentage: Naturally occurring whole plant of Hosta
Northern Exposure' (not patented).
+ Propagation: Method by tissue culture and division. Time
to initiate roots from both division and tissue culture
about four weeks from cutting.
§
Rooting habit: Normal, fleshy, to 3 mm thick, slightly
branching.
§
Plant habit: Herbaceous, densely rhizomatous perennial,
symmetrical with radical spreading leaves in an arching
mound.
§
Crop time: Under normal summer greenhouse growing
conditions about 26 weeks to finish in a one-liter
container. Plant vigor is good.
§
Plant size: Foliage at flowering is 32 to 40 cm (15.7 in.) tall and
50 to 60 cm (24 in.) wide.
+ Foliage description:
§
Shape and size: Broadly ovate to rounded leaf blades
have an acute apex and cordate base. The leaf blades
reach 20 to 25 cm (10 in.) long and 18 cm (7 in.) to 22 cm (8.7 in.) wide. The leaf
blade margin is entire and the green variegation pattern
on the edge varies in different regions of the leaf from
10 to 35 mm wide.
§
Color: Adaxial margin surface emerges RHS 137 B and
develops into a deep green closest to RHS 136 A. The
inside, or center portion of the leaf is yellow-green,
begins nearest RHS 141 D then lightens to yellow RHS 11
C. Abaxial margin surface is RHS 137 B on early young
leaves, and RHS 137 A on leaves later in the season. The
abaxial leaf center color starts RHS 154 D and lightens
to whiter than RHS 4 D with light and heat as the season
progresses. There are also three or more intermediate
color patterns between the center and the margin. The
most prominent adaxial color band is yellow-green RHS
144 A and RHS 138D on the abaxial side. Other more
yellow, lighter, or more grayed bands are also sometimes
present in thinner and shorter stripes.
§
Veins: Parallel, deeply furrowed, lighter than RHS 151 D
in leaf center of both surfaces; RHS 138 C in leaf
margin.
§
Petioles: 18 cm (7 in.) to 22 cm (8.7 in.) long and 6 to 9 mm wide. The
center color is RHS 11 C, but varies like the leaves
depending on how much light the petiole receives. The
edge of the petiole is green RHS 138 C on both surfaces.
+ Flower description: 30 to 35 per scape, funnelform, 4 to 6.0 cm (2.4 in.) wide and 6 to 8 cm (3.1 in.) long, (distal flowers being
smaller), persists for up to two days, scapes remain
effective from mid June to early July. No significant
floral fragrance has been detected.
§
Buds: Two to three days prior to opening the buds are
lighter than Purple RHS 76D, 6 to 7 cm (2.8 in.) long, up to 1.5 cm (0.6 in.) wide.
§
Tepals: Six, fused at the base, with acute apex,
approximately 7 cm (2.8 in.) long and 1.2 cm (0.5 in.) wide, arranged in two
layers of three, the inner three with clear 1 to 2 mm
margin, outer three with tips of green RHS 146 D; base
color in center of tepals Red purple RHS 76 D and violet
stripes RHS 76 C. The base of the tepals is white.
§
Peduncle: Erect to 50 cm (19.6 in.) tall and 0.8 cm (.31 in.) in diameter,
light green RHS 138 A to RHS 139 A.
§
Pedicel: Curved, 15 mm long, 3 mm wide, RHS 138 D.
§
Gynoecium: Style 5 to 6.0 cm (2.4 in.) long, 1 mm diameter, near
white, curved upward at distal end; Stigma white, to 2
mm diameter.
§
Androecium: Filaments six, white, approximately 1 mm
in diameter and to 5 cm (2 in.) long; Anthers 5 to 6 mm long,
1.5 mm wide, about RHS 79 A around margin of abaxial
side, white in center, pollen is yellow-orange RHS 17 A.
§
Seeds have not been observed.
+ Disease resistance: The plant is more resistant to
melting-out than most other light-centered varieties, a
condition where the light colored leaf center becomes
necrotic. It grows best with plenty of moisture and good
drainage but is able to tolerate some drought. Hardiness
to at least USDA zone 3, and other disease resistance is
typical of other hostas. |
According to the U.S. government, a new Hosta cultivar is an "invention". Therefore, it is
eligible to receive a patent, just like Edison's electric light
bulb. In the case of hostas and other plants, a patent means
that for the next 20 years, nobody may propagate and sell this
cultivar without providing compensation to the owner of the
patent. This is a different process than registering a Hosta with 
