Sunsenebaibai

Cineraria

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Senetti Blue Bicolor' and 'Sunsenereba' (Senetti Magenta Bicolor)

Summary: The stems of 'Sunsenebaibai' have weaker anthocyanin colouration and sparser pubescence than those of the reference varieties, 'Senetti Blue Bicolor' and 'Sunsenereba'. 'Sunsenebaibai' has weaker anthocyanin colouration of the petiole and a weaker degree of lobing of the leaf blades than both reference varieties. The flowers of 'Sunsenebaibai' are smaller in diameter than those of both reference varieties. The main colour on the upper side of the ray florets of 'Sunsenebaibai' is blue violet with violet in the area of transition to the secondary colour while it is blue violet for 'Senetti Blue Bicolor' and violet but redder for 'Sunsenereba'.

Description:

PLANT: upright to bushy rounded growth habit, medium degree of branching
STEM: grey green, absent or very weak anthocyanin colouration, moderate pubescence, medium thickness, smooth

LEAF: alternate arrangement along stem, simple type
LEAF BLADE: cordate shape, acute apex, cordate base, dentate margin, weak degree of lobing, medium degree of undulation of margin, weak degree of indentation of margin, sparse to moderate pubescence on upper side, medium to dark green on upper side, pattern of venation is palmate
PETIOLE: absent or very weak anthocyanin colouration

INFLORESCENCE: head type
FLOWER: medium number of ray florets
RAY FLORET: medium to long, broad, straight along longitudinal axis of majority, flat in cross-section, elliptic shape, obtuse apex, two colours on upper side, main colour on upper side is blue violet with violet in area of transition to secondary colour, secondary colour on upper side is white, main colour on lower side is violet (RHS N82B-D) fading to white (whiter than RHS 155C) towards base
DISC: present

Origin & Breeding History: 'Sunsenebaibai' originated from a cross made in January 1995 between the female parent, a breeding line designated 'BW131', and the male parent, a seedling of Senecio heritieri. The cross was conducted in Hokuto-shi, Yamanashi, Japan. The resultant seedlings were grown in pots in a glasshouse and evaluated. In February 2004, 'Sunsenebaibai' was selected based on its plant growth habit, flower size and flower colour. It was later propagated by cuttings and grown in pots in Hokuto-shi, Yamanashi, Japan where it was subjected to trials starting in July 2005.

Tests & Trials: Trials for 'Sunsenebaibai' were conducted in a polyhouse during the winter and spring of 2008 at BioFlora Inc. in St. Thomas, Ontario. The trial included 15 plants per variety. The plants were grown from rooted cuttings which were transplanted into 15 cm pots on March 19, 2008. The plants were provided a natural cold treatment for approximately 5 weeks at 10°C until flower buds were visible and then grown further at 18°C. Measured characteristics were based on measurements taken from 10 plants or parts of plants on May 27, 2008. All colour determinations were made using the 2001 Royal Horticulture Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison tables for 'Sunsenebaibai' with reference varieties 'Senetti Blue Bicolor' and 'Sunsenereba'

Flower diameter (cm)

Ray floret colour (RHS)

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Cineraria: 'Sunsenebaibai' (left) with reference varieties 'Senetti Blue Bicolor' (centre) and 'Sunsenereba' (right)

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Cineraria: 'Sunsenebaibai' (left) with reference varieties 'Senetti Blue Bicolor' (centre) and 'Sunsenereba' (right)