Seashoreplant named ‘UGP 73’

Genus and species: Latin name:Swartz.

Variety denomination: Variety denomination: The newSwartz claimed is of the cultivar denominated ‘UGP 73’.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Seashoreplant, botanically known asSwartz, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘UGP 73’.

‘UGP 73’ is a vegetative clone developed from a single Fseed arising from the hand-pollinated cross (‘Durban’ (PI 614678; not patented) X experimental line ‘G05-1743’ (not patented)). This cross was made in the greenhouse at Griffin, Georgia in 2007 by Dr. Paul Raymer. The female parent, ‘Durban’ (not patented), was collected in Durban, South Africa.

‘UGP 73’ is a vigorous vegetative seashorecultivar that produces excellent quality turf under a range of mowing heights, and is suitable for use on golf courses, athletic fields, and other recreational venues as fine turf. ‘UGP 73’ has been under development and evaluation for 16 years. ‘UGP 73’ has been evaluated extensively in both in the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP) at eight southern locations from 2016-2020 and as part of a USDA Specialty Crops Research Grant (SCRI) at six southern locations from 2011-2013 and in SCRI advanced trials at six locations in 2016-2019. In the two-year SCRI trial, ‘UGP 73’ ranked 2in overall turf quality out of 80 entries and rankedst in turf quality under non-drought conditions.

The newSwartz cultivar ‘UGP 73’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment and cultural practices such as temperature, water and fertility levels, soil types, and light intensity without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique and distinguishing characteristics of the newcultivar named ‘UGP 73’. In combination, these traits set ‘UGP 73’ apart from all other existing varieties ofknown to the inventors:

Additional characteristics of ‘UGP 73’ known to the inventors also include:

The following traits have been consistently observed in the original plant of this new variety grown in Griffin, Georgia, and, to the best knowledge of the inventors, their combination forms the unique characteristics of the new variety ‘UGP 73’.

Certain characteristics of this variety, such as growth and color, may change with changing environmental conditions (e.g., light, temperature, moisture, nutrient availability, or other factors). Color descriptions and other terminology are used in accordance with their ordinary dictionary descriptions, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Color designations are made with reference to The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.) Colour Chart.

Throughout this specification, color names beginning with a small letter signify that the name of that color, as used in common speech, is aptly descriptive. Color names beginning with a capital letter designate values based upon The R.H.S. Colour Chart, 5edition published by The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England in 2007, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

The aforementioned photographs and following observations, measurements, and values describe plants of theSwartz cultivar ‘UGP 73’. Data were collected from plants that were approximately eight years old and were grown in the ground under greenhouse and outdoor conditions in Griffin, GA. The average outdoor low temperatures ranged from lows of about 33° F. to 42° F. in the winter, to average high temperatures of about 85° F. to 92° F. in summer.