Vilena

Verbena

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Sunmaref TP-V' (Tapien Blue Violet)

Summary: 'Vilena' differs from the reference variety in flower colour, growth habit and location of the colour of the eye of the corolla. 'Vilena' is a lighter purple than 'Sunmaref TP-V'. The growth habit of 'Vilena' is semi-creeping whereas it is drooping in 'Sunmaref TP-V'. The corolla eye of 'Vilena' is light purple with white located on two lobes whereas it is light purple located on three or four lobes in 'Sunmaref TP-V'.

Description:

'Vilena' is an annual verbena with a semi-creeping growth habit. The light to medium green stems have very sparse pubescence with strong anthocyanin colouration along the edges. The dark green leaves are ovate with a cuneate-shaped base. The leaf blades are dissected with an acute apex. Anthocyanin colouration is absent. Pubescence density is sparse and very sparse on the upper and lower leaf surfaces respectively.

The inflorescence is a columniform corymb which is both axillary and terminal in location. The bracts of the single florets are smaller in size than the calyx. The calyx has anthocyanin colouration on the upper part. The florets are small with free lobes and a curvature in longitudinal axis absent and slightly recurved. The undulation of the corolla lobes is weak to medium. There is one colour of the corolla with a light purple eye with white which is present on two lobes. The corolla colour of 'Vilena' darkens with age. The corolla throat hairs are blue.

Origin & Breeding History: 'Vilena' was developed at Syngenta Seeds B.V. in Enkhuizen, The Netherlands. It resulted from a cross between 'W 701' and 'W 723' which took place in 1995. 'Vilena' was selected in 1996 based on flower colour and growth habit. It was developed by clonal selection and propagated vegetatively by cuttings.

Tests & Trials: Tests and trials for 'Vilena' were conducted in a double poly greenhouse at BioFlora Inc., St. Thomas, Ontario during the summer of 2003. Trials consisted of 15 plants/variety with one cutting/152 mm round pot. Colour characteristics were determined using the 2001 RHS colour chart. Measured characteristics were based on 10 measurements.

Comparison tables for 'Vilena' with reference variety 'Sunmaref TP-V'

Leaf blade length (cm)

Leaf blade width (cm)

Inflorescence diameter (cm)

Floret diameter (mm)

Main colour of upper side of floret (RHS)