Eckalbert

Poinsettia

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: '490 Pink'

Summary: 'Eckalbert' produces shorter plants than those of '490 Pink'. The stems and lower side of the petioles of 'Eckalbert' have no anthocyanin colouration while those of '490 Pink' have very weak and weak intensity of anthocyanin, respectively. 'Eckalbert' has bracts which are slightly, darker pink in colour and more narrow than those of '490 Pink'. Rugosity between the veins on the bracts of 'Eckalbert' is very weak while it is moderate on those of '490 Pink'.

Description:

'Eckalbert' is a poinsettia variety with no anthocyanin colouration of the stem. The broad ovate shaped leaves have a round shaped base with no anthocyanin colouration on the upper and lower sides. The veins on the upper and lower side of the leaf blades have absent to very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration. Development of lobes on the leaf blades is weak and the sinuses between the lobes are round to pointed in shape. Incision of the margin of the leaf blades is absent. Intensity of anthocyanin colouration of the petiole for 'Eckalbert' is weak on the upper side and absent on the lower side.

'Eckalbert' has many bracts which are uniform in colour. The inner bracts are dark purple red in colour and the outer bracts are red pink. Initiation of colour occurs early. Development of lobes on the bracts is absent to very weak. Incision of the margin of the bracts is absent. There is no folding, curving or twisting of the bracts. The broad elliptical to broad ovate shaped bracts have a round shaped base and very weak rugosity between the veins. The glands of the cyathium are greenish yellow in colour and medium in size. The intensity of anthocyanin colouration of the margins of the glands is moderate. The time of opening of the first three cyathia is early.

Origin & Breeding History: 'Eckalbert' was discovered at the Paul Ecke Ranch Inc., Encinitas, California, USA in July of 1999. It was selected for its clear pink bract colour and medium dark green foliage.

Tests & Trials: Tests and trials for 'Eckalbert' were conducted at Ed Sobkowich Greenhouses Ltd., Grimsby, Ontario during the fall/winter of 2002. A minimum of ten plants of each variety were grown in a greenhouse. Each plant was grown in a 15 cm pot spaced 0.40 meters apart. All colour characteristics were determined using the Royal Horticulture Society (RHS) Colour Chart, Third Edition (Copyright 1995 - green box) and measured characteristics were based on ten measurements.

Comparison tables for 'Eckalbert' with reference variety '490 Pink'

Plant height (cm)

Colour of the inner bracts (RHS)

Colour of the outer bracts (RHS)

Bract width (cm)