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Challenger

Culver's Root

Denomination: 'Challenger'
Botanical Name: Veronicastrum virginicum
Applicant/Holder: Green Elite Collection B.V.
Turfspoor 53A
2165 AW
Lisserbroek
Netherlands
Breeder: Petrus Hendricus Oudolf, Hummelo, Netherlands
Agent in Canada: BioFlora Inc.
38723 Fingal Line
R.R. #1
St. Thomas, Ontario
N5P 3S5
Canada
Tel: 519-317-7511
Application Date: 2014-12-19
Application Number: 14-8501
Grant of Rights Date: 2018-01-17
Certificate Number: 5641
Grant of Rights Termination Date: 2038-01-17

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Roseum'

Summary: The plants of 'Challenger' are shorter than those of 'Roseum'. The base of the stem of 'Challenger' is thinner than that of 'Roseum'. The leaf blade of 'Challenger' is shorter than that of 'Roseum'.

Description:

PLANT: erect attitude, herbaceous
STEM: ramification present, light green to medium green, pubescent

LEAF: arranged in whorls along stem, ovate shape, dark green on upper side, medium green on lower side, very weak concave in cross-section, absent to weak rugosity between veins, serrate incisions along margin, acute apex, lobing at base

INFLORESCENCE: terminal spike type
PEDICEL: pubescent, light green, no anthocyanin colouration
STIPULE: light green, pubescent
CALYX: 4 sepals, light green, no anthocyanin colouration, pubescent
SEPAL: obcordate shape
COROLLA: funnel shape, 4 lobes
COROLLA TUBE: violet (RHS 75B) on outer side, pubescent on inner side
COROLLA LOBE: obovate shape, light blue violet (RHS 76B) on inner side
STAMEN: separate from lobe, shorter relative to corolla lobes
FILAMENT: blue violet
ANTHER: obcordate shape, light brown
POLLEN: light purple
STYLE: limb protruding beyond corolla lobes, blue violet
STIGMA: blue violet
OVARY: light green with red purple flush

Origin & Breeding History: 'Challenger' was bred and developed by the breeder, Petrus Hendricus Oudolf, in Hummelo, the Netherlands. It originated from an open pollinated cross conducted in July 2011 between the female parent 'Roseum' and an unknown proprietary seedling as the male parent. From the resulting progeny, a single plant was selected in July 2013 in Hummelo, the Netherlands based on its plant growth habit, branching characteristics and flower colour. 'Challenger' was first vegetatively propagated by softwood cuttings and divisions in the spring of 2014 in Hummelo, the Netherlands.

Tests & Trials: The detailed description of 'Challenger' is based on the UPOV report of Technical Examination, application number 2014/0008, purchased from the Community Plant Variety Office in Angers, France. The trial was conducted by the Naktuinbouw Variety Center in Roelofarendsveen, the Netherlands in 2015. The colour determinations were made using the 2007 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.


Comparison tables for 'Challenger' with reference variety 'Roseum'

Plant height (cm)

  'Challenger' 'Roseum'
approximate range 90-100 120-130

Maximum stem thickness at base (mm)

  'Challenger' 'Roseum'
mean 9 12

Maximum leaf blade length (cm)

  'Challenger' 'Roseum'
mean 8 13

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Challenger
Culver's Root: 'Challenger'

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Challenger
Culver's Root: 'Challenger'

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Challenger
Culver's Root: 'Challenger'

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