Helisbrabic

Strawflower / Paper Daisy

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Outback Wallaby Flame'

Summary: The predominant position of the flower heads of 'Helisbrabic' is high above the the foliage whereas it is level with or just above the foliage for 'Outback Wallaby Flame'. The flower buds of 'Helisbrabic' have a pointed apex while those of 'Outback Wallaby Flame' have a rounded apex. 'Helisbrabic' has a bi-coloured involucre with multi-coloured bracts whereas 'Outback Wallaby Flame' has a one-coloured involucre with one-coloured bracts. The bracts of 'Helisbrabic' are longer and have weaker incurving than those of 'Outback Wallaby Flame'. The lower bracts of 'Helisbrabic' are blue pink with a white base, purple to purple red apex and brown purple tip while those of 'Outback Wallaby Flame' are orange brown with a yellow brown and light yellow base, brown red apex and brown purple tip. The upper bracts of 'Helisbrabic' are white and light blue pink in the middle with a white and blue pink apex while those of 'Outback Wallaby Flame' are dark purple red in the middle with yellow margins and base and dark purple red apex.

Description:

PLANT: erect growth habit, medium density
STEM: moderate pubescence

LEAF BLADE: length:width ratio is 1:0.15, broadest part is in middle position, acuminate apex, no variegation, medium green on upper side, moderate pubescence on upper side, absent or very sparse pubescence on lower side, weak to moderate undulation of margin
PEDUNCLE: branching present

BUD: pointed apex, purple to purple red with white base
FLOWER HEAD: predominantly positioned high above foliage, lower part is convex in lateral view, upper part is concave to flat in lateral view, few bracts
INVOLUCRE: bi-coloured
BRACT: multi-coloured, no striations, weak incurving
LOWER BRACT: upper side is white on lower third, blue pink on middle third and purple to purple red with brown purple tip on upper third
UPPER BRACT: upper side is white with light blue pink on middle third and white with blue pink on upper third
PAPPUS: white

Origin & Breeding History: 'Helisbrabic' was developed by the breeder, D. van Kleinwee, an employee of Syngenta Seeds B.V. in Enkhuizen, The Netherlands. It originated from a controlled cross made in 2002 between the female parent designated 'B0541-1' and the male parent designated 'C3185-1'. 'Helisbrabic' was selected from the resultant progeny as a single plant in 2003. In 2004, it was tested as a clone in Enkhuizen, The Netherlands for greenhouse and field performance, earliness, branching, flower colour, flower size and flowering continuity. Also in 2004, it was tested for heat and drought stress resistance in Sarrians, Southern France.

Tests & Trials: Trials for 'Helisbrabic' were conducted in a polyhouse during the spring of 2008 at BioFlora Inc. in St. Thomas, Ontario. The trial included 15 plants per variety. Rooted cuttings were transplanted into 15 cm pots on May 13, 2008. Measured characteristics were based on measurements taken from 10 plants or parts of plants on July 2, 2008. All colour determinations were made using the 2001 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison tables for 'Helisbrabic' with reference variety 'Outback Wallaby Flame'

Colour of flower head (RHS)

Bract length (cm)

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Strawflower / Paper Daisy: 'Helisbrabic' (left) with reference variety 'Outback Wallaby Flame' (right)

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Strawflower / Paper Daisy: 'Helisbrabic' (left) with reference variety 'Outback Wallaby Flame' (right)

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Strawflower / Paper Daisy: 'Helisbrabic' (left) with reference variety 'Outback Wallaby Flame' (right)