PER4703

Poinsettia

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Eckadire' (Prestige Red)

Summary: 'PER4703' has medium to strong development of lobes on the leaf blade while 'Eckadire' has very weak to weak development of lobes. 'PER4703' has a pointed shape of sinus between the leaf lobes while 'Eckadire' has a rounded shape of sinus. 'PER4703' has dark purple red colour on the upper side of the bract while 'Eckadire' has dark red colour. 'PER4703' has dark purple red colour on the lower side of the bract while 'Eckadire' has dark pink red colour on the lower side of the bract. 'PER4703' has medium to strong development of lobes on the bract while 'Eckadire' has absent to very weak lobe development.

Description:

STEM: medium to strong anthocyanin colouration

LEAF: ovate, wedge shaped base, anthocyanin colouration absent on upper and lower sides between veins, medium to strong anthocyanin on mid rib on upper side, medium anthocyanin on veins on upper side, weak to medium anthocyanin on mid rib on lower side, medium to strong lobing, pointed shape of sinus between lobes, no margin incisions
PETIOLE: strong anthocyanin colouration on upper side, weak to medium anthocyanin on lower side

BRACT: uniformly coloured bracts, dark purple red on upper and lower side, medium to strong lobe development, acute shape of sinus between lobes, no margin incisions, weak to medium folding, very weak curving, weak twisting, weak rugosity between veins, ovate, wedge shaped base, obtuse angle with petiole
CYATHIUM GLANDS: small, no anthocyanin colouration on margins, yellow

Origin & Breeding History: 'PER4703' was discovered at the Paul Ecke Ranch in Enchinitas, California, USA, in January 2003. The variety was selected for its moroon red bract colour, dark green foliage and moderately vigourous growth habit.

Tests & Trials: Trials for 'PER4703' were conducted during the fall of 2006 in St. Catharines, Ontario. Trials included 15 plants per variety. All plants were grown from rooted cuttings which were transplanted into 15 cm pots on August 16, 2006. Pots were spaced 30 cm apart from the pot centre. Observations and measurements were taken from 10 plants of each variety, observed on November 29, 2006. All colour determinations were made using the 2001 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison table for 'PER4703' with reference variety 'Eckadire'

Colour of bract (RHS)

Click on image for larger view

Poinsettia: 'PER4703' (left) with reference variety 'Eckadire' (right)