Mark Bridgen, director of the Department of Horticulture's Long Island Horticultural Research and Extension Center, was awarded a patent for Alstroemeria 'Mauve Majesty' in November 2007.  It's the first ornamental plant patented by Cornell University, according to Dr. Richard Cahoon, Associate Director of Patents and Technology at Cornell's Technology Transfer Office.

Bridgen received patents for five other cultivars while he worked at the University of Connecticut.

Bridgen's work has also been recognized by the International Bulb Society, which awarded him with the 2008 Herbert Medal for meritorious achievement in advancing knowledge of bulbous plants. 

Also known as Inca lily, Alstroemeria is a native of South America.  'Mauve Majesty' makes a great cutflower, lasting up to two weeks in a vase.  And it flowers continuously all summer in the cooler, northern states, says Bridgen. 

Nurseries report that it is hardy to Zone 6 -- and possibly Zone 5 if planted in a protected spot and well mulched.  Online retail sources include Brent and Becky's Bulbs, Garden Crossing, and Walters Gardens,

See also Cornell Chronicle article, CU's newly patented purplish 'lily' blooms all summer long.