Tropical Fruit

Lantana

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Balucyell' (Landmark Yellow)

Summary: The plant growth habit of 'Tropical Fruit' is semi-erect to semi-prostrate while it is erect to semi-erect for 'Balucyell'. 'Tropical Fruit' has shorter plants with smaller leaf blades and shorter petioles than 'Balucyell'. The leaves of 'Tropical Fruit' are variegated while those of 'Balucyell' are not. 'Tropical Fruit' has shorter peduncles than 'Balucyell'. The main colour of the mature florets is light blue pink for 'Tropical Fruit' while it is yellow orange for 'Balucyell'. Curvature in the longitudinal axis of the corolla lobes is incurved for 'Tropical Fruit' while it is recurved for 'Balucyell'.

Description:

PLANT: semi-erect to semi-prostrate growth habit

STEM: dense pubescence

LEAF BLADE: ovate, acute apex, truncate to cuneate base, crenate to serrate margin, variegation present, light green main colour on upper side, short and dense pubescence on upper and lower sides
PETIOLE: present

INFLORESCENCE: positioned in both terminal and axillary locations on the flowering stem, dome shaped profile, more than two coloured (excluding eye zone)
COROLLA: light yellow upon opening, maturing to light blue pink, no intermediate colouring
COROLLA LOBES: arrangement in corolla is touching, incurved along longitudinal axis, weak undulation of margin
COROLLA EYE ZONE: yellow to orange

DRUPE: medium in number, green changing to blue/black when mature

Origin & Breeding History: 'Tropical Fruit' was developed by the breeder, R. J. Repp, of Waynesville, North Carolina, U.S.A. It was developed by the application of a chemical mutagen to a seedling of Lantana variety 'Lemon drop' in February of 2002. 'Tropical Fruit' was selected in June of 2002 based on its variegated foliage, plant growth habit, location of flowers and flower colour.

Tests & Trials: The test and trial for 'Tropical Fruit' was conducted in a poly-house during the summer of 2006 at BioFlora Inc. in St. Thomas, Ontario. The trial included 15 plants of each variety. Rooted cuttings were transplanted into 15 cm pots on April 26, 2006. Observations and measurements were taken from 10 plants of each variety on July 10, 2006. All colour measurements were made using the 2001 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison tables for 'Tropical Fruit' with reference variety 'Balucyell'

Plant height (cm)

Leaf blade length (cm)

Leaf blade width (cm)

Petiole length (mm)

Peduncle length (cm)

Colour of corolla (RHS)

Click on image for larger view

Lantana: 'Tropical Fruit' (left) with reference variety 'Balucyell' (right)