Dancatblue

Torenia

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Dantmoon' (Blue Moon)

Summary: 'Dancatblue' has a taller plant height and a smaller leaf size than 'Dantmoon'. 'Dancatblue' has shallower margin incisions than 'Dantmoon'. 'Dancatblue' has a smaller corolla diameter and weaker undulation of the corolla margin than 'Dantmoon'. 'Dancatblue' differs in flower colour from 'Dantmoon'. 'Dancatblue' has a more conspicuous yellow stripe on the lower petal and less conspicuous venation on the inner side of the corolla tube than 'Dantmoon'.

Description:

'Dancatblue' has a semi-erect growth habit. The stem has absent to very sparse pubescence and is light green in colour with weak anthocyanin colouration. The leaf blade is broad ovate in shape with a narrow acute to broad acute shaped apex. The leaf base is truncate in shape. The leaf blade has dentate incisions which are shallow in depth. The upper side of the leaf blade is medium green in colour with weak anthocyanin colouration and very sparse pubescence.

'Dancatblue' has trumpet shaped flowers. The calyx has weak anthocyanin present and the calyx wings are large in size. The corolla lobes have medium undulation of the margin. The inner side of the upper petal is violet blue in colour with light violet blue secondary colour located at the margin. The inner side of the lateral petal is violet blue in colour with light violet blue secondary colour located at the margin edge and at the base. The lower petal is violet blue in colour with light violet blue secondary colour located at the transition to the corolla tube. There is a medium sized yellow stripe on the lower petal. The inner side of the corolla tube has weakly conspicuous venation.

Origin & Breeding History: 'Dancatblue' originated from a cross made in January 2003 at Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel. The female parent was the variety 'Blue Moon' and the male parent was a seed grown bush-type torenia. The new variety was selected in May 2003 based on flower characteristics, growth habit and field performance traits. The variety was first vegetatively propagated in May 2003 in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel.

Tests & Trials: 'Dancatblue' was tested in a polyhouse during the summer of 2005, in St. Thomas, Ontario. The trial included 15 plants of the candidate and reference varieties. Rooted cuttings were transplanted into 11 cm pots on April 28, 2005. All colour measurements were made using the RHS Colour Chart 2001. Measured characteristics were based on ten plant measurements.

Comparison tables for 'Dancatblue' with reference variety 'Dantmoon'

Plant height (cm)

Leaf blade length (mm)

Leaf blade width (mm)

Corolla diameter (cm)

Colour on inner side of upper petal (RHS)

Colour on inner side of lateral petal (RHS)

Colour on inner side of lower petal (RHS)