Eckaladdin

Poinsettia

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Freedom Red'

Summary: 'Eckaladdin' produces shorter plants with longer, more narrow leaf blades than 'Freedom Red'. Intensity of anthocyanin colouration of the stems for 'Eckaladdin' is strong while it is moderate for 'Freedom Red'. Development of the lobes of the leaf blades is moderate for 'Eckaladdin' and strong for 'Freedom Red'. Development of the lobes of the bracts is weak for 'Eckaladdin' and absent to very weak for 'Freedom Red'. 'Eckaladdin' has more narrow bracts which are broad elliptic in shape while those of 'Freedom Red' are broad ovate in shape. 'Eckaladdin' has a wider cyme with glands of the cyathia which are yellow in colour while those of 'Freedom Red' are greenish-yellow in colour.

Description:

'Eckaladdin' is a poinsettia variety with strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration of the stem. The broad ovate shaped leaves have a round shaped base and no anthocyanin colouration on the upper and lower sides. Intensity of anthocyanin colouration of the veins on the upper side of the leaf blades is weak to moderate whereas on the lower side it is weak. Development of lobes on the leaf blades is moderate and the shape of the sinus between the lobes is more pointed than rounded. Incision of the margin of the leaf blades is absent. Intensity of anthocyanin colouration of the upper side of the petiole is strong whereas on the lower side it is moderate to strong.

'Eckaladdin' produces many uniform coloured bracts which are red in colour. Initiation of colour occurs early in the season. Development of lobes on the bracts is weak and the shape of the sinus between the lobes is rounded. Incision of the margin of the bracts is absent. There is no folding, curving or twisting of the bracts. The broad elliptical shaped bracts have a round to wedge-shaped base and weak to moderate intensity of rugosity between the veins. Time of opening of the first three cyathia is early in the season. The glands of the cyathium are medium to large in size, yellow in colour and have moderate to strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration of the margin.

Origin & Breeding History: 'Eckaladdin' was discovered in Leola, Pennsylvania in January of 2000. It was selected for its narrow shaped bracts.

Tests & Trials: Tests and trials for 'Eckaladdin' were conducted at Ed Sobkowich Greenhouses, Ltd., Grimsby, Ontario in the fall/winter of 2001. The trial consisted of ten plants of each variety grown in a greenhouse. Each plant was grown in 15 cm pots which were spaced approximately 0.40 metres apart. All measured characteristics were based on ten measurements.

Comparison tables for 'Eckaladdin' with reference variety 'Freedom Red'

Plant height (cm)

Leaf blade length (cm)

Leaf blade width (cm)

Petiole length (cm)

Colour of bract (RHS)

Bract length (cm)

Bract width (cm)

Cyme width (mm)