RIKAV14704

Verbena

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'USBENAL5' (Superbena Burgundy) and 'Sunmaricomu' (Temari Magenta)

Summary: The arrangement of the lobes of the corolla of 'RIKAV14704' is not touching whereas the lobes of the corolla of 'USBENAL5' are touching and overlapping, and the lobes of the corolla of 'Sunmaricomu' are touching. The colour of the tip of the hairs protruding from the corolla tube of 'RIKAV14704' is grey purple with a patch of purple while the tip of the hairs of 'USBENAL5' is white with a patch of purple, and the tip of the hairs of 'Sunmaricomu' is light green yellow. The corolla of 'RIKAV14704' is smaller in diameter than the corolla of 'Sunmaricomu'. The main colour of the inner side of the corolla of 'RIKAV14704' is violet with purple towards the base of the corolla lobes while the corolla of 'USBENAL5' is purple with dark purple red at the base of the corolla lobes, and the corolla of 'Sunmaricomu' is purple with lighter purple tones. The eye of the corolla of 'RIKAV14704' is purple and small in diameter whereas the eye of the corolla of 'Sunmaricomu' is whitish green to yellow and medium size in diameter.

Description:

PLANT: semi-upright to creeping growth habit
STEM: medium strength of anthocyanin colouration

LEAF BLADE: elliptic and ovate, no divisions, crenate incisions of margin, medium green on upper side, no anthocyanin colouration on upper side

INFLORESCENCE: shape in profile is broad obovate
CALYX: anthocyanin colouration distributed on teeth only
COROLLA: violet (RHS N78A) with purple (darker than RHS 71A) towards base of corolla lobes, no colour pattern, no secondary colour on inner side, no change of colour with age
COROLLA LOBE: arrangement is not touching, longitudinal axis ranges from incurved to straight, weak undulation of margin
COROLLA TUBE: tip of protruding hairs is grey purple with patch of purple
COROLLA EYE: small diameter, purple

Origin & Breeding History: 'RIKAV14704' was developed by the breeder, Rika Tsutsumi, in Higashiomi, Shiga, Japan, as part of a controlled breeding program for Plant 21 LLC. It originated from a cross conducted on May 5, 2010 between variety 'Lan Depur' as the female parent, and the proprietary line designated '07V230-01' as the male parent. 'RIKAV14704' was selected from the resulting progeny in Bonsall, California, USA, on June 9, 2011, based on its flower colour, good branching, and improved disease resistance and vigour. 'RIKAV14704' was first propagated by vegetative cuttings on June 10, 2011.

Tests & Trials: The trial for 'RIKAV14704' was conducted in a polyhouse during the spring of 2013 at BioFlora Inc. in St. Thomas, Ontario. The trial included 20 plants each of the candidate and reference varieties. All plants were grown from rooted cuttings transplanted into 15 cm pots on April 11, 2013. Observations and measurements were taken from 10 plants or parts of plants of each variety on May 28, 2013. Colour determinations were made using the 2007 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison tables for 'RIKAV14704' with reference varieties 'USBENAL5' and 'Sunmaricomu'

Corolla diameter (cm)

Colour of corolla (RHS)

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Verbena: 'RIKAV14704' (left) with reference varieties 'USBENAL5' (centre) and 'Sunmaricomu' (right)

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Verbena: 'RIKAV14704' (left) with reference varieties 'USBENAL5' (centre) and 'Sunmaricomu' (right)

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Verbena: 'RIKAV14704' (left) with reference varieties 'USBENAL5' (centre) and 'Sunmaricomu' (right)