Suntapimabai

Verbena

Variety Description

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

Summary: The leaf blade of 'Suntapimabai' has lobed divisions while that of 'Sunmaref TP-V' does not. The incisions of the leaf margin of 'Suntapimabai' are dentate while those of 'Sunmaref TP-V' are crenate. The inflorescence of 'Suntapimabai' is larger in diameter than that of 'Sunmaref TP-V'. When newly opened, the inner side of the corolla lobe of 'Suntapimabai' is dark violet with lighter violet tones while that of 'Sunmaref TP-V' is a lighter shade of dark violet with lighter violet tones. When fully opened, the inner side of the corolla lobe of 'Suntapimabai' is dark violet while that of 'Sunmaref TP-V' is blue violet with brighter violet tones. When aged, the inner side of the corolla lobe of 'Suntapimabai' is dark violet to blue violet while that of 'Sunmaref TP-V' is violet to light blue violet. With age, the colour of the inner side of the corolla fades weakly for 'Suntapimabai' while it fades strongly for 'Sunmaref TP-V'.

Description:

PLANT: creeping growth habit
STEM: absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration on middle third

LEAF: ovate, lobed divisions present, dentate margin incisions, upper side dark green with no anthocyanin colouration

INFLORESCENCE: cylindric in profile
CAYLX: anthocyanin colouration at teeth only
COROLLA LOBES: non-touching to touching, longitudinal axis incurved, weak undulation of margin, one colour on upper side, even colour pattern; inner side is dark violet (RHS 83A) with lighter violet (RHS N81A) tones when newly opened, dark violet (RHS 83A-B) when fully opened and dark violet (RHS 83B) to blue violet (RHS 83C) when aged; colour weakly fading with age
COROLLA EYE: small, violet
COROLLA TUBE HAIRS: white and grey purple at tip

Origin & Breeding History: The variety 'Suntapimabai' originated from a controlled cross conducted by the breeder at the Omi Research and Development Center of Suntory Flowers Ltd. in Higashiomi, Shiga, Japan. The cross occured between the proprietary seedlings of female parent 'SUNV46' and male parent 'SUNV19' from April to June 2010. In October 2010, a single seedling was selected for its growth habit and flower colour. It was further evaluated in trials conducted from April to November 2011 before being selected for commercialization.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Suntapimabai' was conducted in a polyhouse during the spring of 2016, at BioFlora Inc. in St. Thomas, Ontario. The trial included a total of 20 plants each of the candidate and reference variety. All plants were grown from rooted cuttings and transplanted into 11 cm pots on April 19, 2016. Observations and measurements were taken from 10 plants, or parts of plants, of each variety on May 31, 2016. All colour determinations were made using the 2007 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

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

Inflorescence diameter (cm)

Main colour of inner side of corolla lobe (RHS)

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Verbena: 'Suntapimabai' (left) with reference variety 'Sunmaref TP-V' (right)

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Verbena: 'Suntapimabai' (left) with reference variety 'Sunmaref TP-V' (right)

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Verbena: 'Suntapimabai' (left) with reference variety 'Sunmaref TP-V' (right)