Balrioyel

Portulaca/purslane

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Summer Joy Yellow' (Yubi Summer Joy Yellow)

Summary: 'Balrioyel' differs from the reference variety, 'Summer Joy Yellow' mainly in leaf length, flower diameter and colour and reflexing of corolla lobe margins. The leaves of 'Balrioyel' are shorter than those of 'Summer Joy Yellow'. The flowers of 'Balrioyel' are smaller in diameter and a brighter yellow than those of 'Summer Joy Yellow'. The reflexing of the corolla lobes of 'Balrioyel' is medium whereas it is strong to very strong in 'Summer Joy Yellow'

Description:

PLANT: annual, spreading growth habit, dense branching, thick shoots, light green shoots with medium intensity of purple-brown anthocyanin colouration located mainly at the base spreading up the shoots.

LEAF: alternate arrangement of simple leaves, elliptic and obovate with an acute and obtuse apex, cuneate base, medium to dark green upper surface, medium intensity of purple anthocyanin colouration located along the margins on the upper surface, medium to dark green on lower surface, petiole absent

CALYX: opposite arrangement, two sepals, broad ovate
FLOWER: inflorescence type, one to two open flowers, terminal location, convex in profile
COROLLA LOBES: free to touching, margins medium fringe, retuse at tip, weak to medium undulation of margins, medium reflexing of margins
STAMEN: yellow filament, orange anther
PISTIL: medium to large, yellow style, yellow stigma

Origin & Breeding History: 'Balrioyel' arose through self-pollination of the variety 'Yubi® Yellow' in January 2002 at Dulce Nombre de Cartago, Costa Rica. The objective of the breeding program was to develop a series of proprietary portulaca varieties unique in its characteristics from other portulaca varieties. Initial selection and reproduction by vegetative cuttings first began in June, 2002.

Tests & Trials: The tests and trials for 'Balrioyel' were conducted in a polyhouse at BioFlora Inc. in St. Thomas, Ontario during the spring of 2006. The trial included a total of 15 plants of both the candidate and reference varieties. All plants were grown from rooted cuttings and transplanted into 6 inch pots on April 26, 2006. Observations and measurements were taken from 10 plants of each variety on July 13, 2006. All colour measurements were determined using the 2001 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison tables for 'Balrioyel' with reference variety 'Summer Joy Yellow'

Leaf: length (cm)

Sepal: length (mm)

Sepal: width (mm)

Flower: diameter (cm)

Colour of upper side of corolla lobe (RHS)

Colour of lower side of corolla lobe (RHS)

Click on image for larger view

Portulaca/purslane: 'Balrioyel' (left) with reference variety 'Summer Joy Yellow' (right)