Diastrapin

Diascia

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Diastis' (Flying Colors Coral)

Summary: 'Diastrapin' has a more spreading growth habit and less dense branching than the reference variety 'Diastis', which has semi-upright plants and dense branching. The flowers of 'Diastrapin' do not have trichomal elaiophores on the lower lobe of the corolla, whereas 'Diastis' has densely distributed, dark purple trichomal elaiophores on the lower corolla lobe. The two varieties also differ slightly in flower colour.

Description:

PLANT: semi-upright to spreading growth habit, short to medium height, medium width, medium branching density, no anthocyanin colouration on stems

LEAF BLADE: medium green, medium to long length, medium to broad width, no variegation, no anthocyanin colouration, cordate base, narrow acute apex, entire margin (with sparse, shallow incisions), no hairiness

PEDUNCLE: medium to long internodes with short to medium length pedicels
COROLLA: short to medium length, medium width, red pink inner surface, weak to moderate reflexing of lateral lobes
LOWER LOBE: broader than long, very weak undulation of margin, no trichomal elaiophores
COROLLA THROAT: one medium yellow spot
SPUR: brown purple, moderate curvature

Origin & Breeding History: 'Diastrapin' was developed by the breeder Har Stemkens, an employee of Syngenta Seeds B.V., in Enkhuizen, The Netherlands. The variety originated from a controlled cross made in August 2000, in Enkhuizen, between the female parent 'A0075-1' and the male parent 'A0064-1'. A single plant was selected from this cross in May 2001, based on criteria for earliness, flower colour and field performance. Asexual reproduction by vegetative cuttings was first conducted in June 2001.

Tests & Trials: The trials for 'Diastrapin' were conducted in a polyhouse during the spring of 2006 in St. Thomas, Ontario. The trial included a total of 15 plants of each variety. All plants were grown from rooted cuttings transplanted into 11 cm pots on March 31, 2006. Observations and measurements were taken from 10 plants of each variety on May 17, 2006. All colour measurements were made using the 2001 RHS colour chart.

Comparison tables for 'Diastrapin' with reference variety 'Diastis'

Main colour of corolla (RHS)

Colour of spur (RHS)

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Diascia: 'Diastrapin' (left) with reference variety 'Diastis' (right)

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Diascia: 'Diastrapin' (left) with reference variety 'Diastis' (right)