Balhelbabim

Heliotrope

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Atlantis'

Summary: 'Balhelbabim' is a heliotrope variety which has shorter plants with smaller leaves than the reference variety 'Atlantis'. The corolla of 'Balhelbabim' has a smaller diameter and stronger undulation of the margins than the corolla of 'Balhelbabim'. The margins of the corolla lobes of 'Balhelbabim' are moderately to strongly recurved, whereas the corolla lobes of 'Atlantis' are weakly to moderately recurved. There is very strong anthocyanin colouration on the outer side of the corolla tube of 'Balhelbabim', whereas the outer side of the corolla tube of 'Atlantis' has medium to strong anthocyanin colouration.

Description:

'Balhelbabim' is an annual heliotrope variety with an upright bushy growth habit. The stems are light green and moderately thick, with very dense pubescence. Anthocyanin colouration is weak on the stems except near the top where it is strong. The leaf blade of 'Balhelbabim' is elliptic to lanceolate in shape, with an acute apex and cuneate base. The leaf margins are entire. The upper side of the leaf is dark green with dense pubescence. The lower side of the leaf is medium green, with dense pubescence on the veins.

The inflorescence of 'Balhelbabim' is a cyme. The florets are salverform with 4 to 5 lobes which are fused at the base. The main colour of the upper side of the corolla is violet. The lobes of the corolla of 'Balhelbabim' are strongly undulating and the lobe margin is moderately to strongly recurved. Anthocyanin colouration on the outer side of the corolla tube is very strong.

Origin & Breeding History: 'Balhelbabim' originated in a controlled breeding program during October 2000 at Arroyo Grande, California, as the result of the self pollination of the commercial heliotrope variety 'Mini Marine'. The initial selection was made in January 2001. Asexual propagation since that time has been through the use of vegetative cuttings.

Tests & Trials: Tests and trials for 'Balhelbabim' were conducted in a polyhouse during the spring/summer of 2005 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 April 28, 2005. Observations and measurements were taken from 10 plants of each variety on June 21, 2005. All colour measurements were made using the 2001 RHS Colour Chart.

Comparison tables for 'Balhelbabim' with reference variety 'Atlantis'

Plant height (cm)

Leaf blade length (cm)

Leaf width (cm)

Main colour of corolla (RHS)