USLOB0901

Lobelia

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Regatta Sapphire' and 'KLELE08623' (Magadi Ocean Blue)

Summary: The leaf blade of 'USLOB0901' is shorter than the leaf blade of 'KLELE08623' and wider than the leaves of both reference varieties. The upper and lower corolla lobes of 'USLOB0901' are a lighter violet blue than the corolla lobes of 'Regatta Sapphire' and a slightly lighter violet blue than the corolla lobes of 'KLELE08623'. The palate on the corolla of 'USLOB0901' is small is size while the palate of 'Regatta Sapphire' is large and the palate of 'KLELE08623' is medium in size.

Description:

PLANT: semi-upright growth habit, medium degree of branching, medium foliage density
STEM: medium in thickness, medium green, medium anthocyanin colouration, sparse to medium pubescence

LEAF: alternate arrangement, simple, round/circular, obtuse apex, attenuate base, crenate margin, no variegation, upper side medium green, absent or very sparse pubescence on upper side

SEPAL: narrow lanceolate, absent or very weak anthocyanin colouration

INFLORESCENCE: raceme, upright attitude, no anthocycanin on pedicel
UPPER COROLLA LOBE: oblanceolate shape, upper side violet blue (RHS 96B), no markings present
LOWER COROLLA LOBE: upper side violet blue (RHS 96B-C), small to medium sized violet (RHS 93A) markings present
PALATE: small, white with blue markings on each lobe and two light green (RHS N144A) spots at base.

Origin & Breeding History: The variety 'USLOB0901' originated from a cross made on September 26, 2005, in Higashiomi, Shiga, Japan. The female parent was the variety 'Hot Water Blue' and the male parent was the variety 'Dark Blue Angel'. The new variety was selected as a single plant from the resultant progeny on August 28, 2006, in Higashiomi, Shiga, Japan. Selection criteria included growth habit, good plant strength, high heat tolerance and consistent flower colour. The variety 'USLOB0901' was first propagated by vegetative cuttings on September 2, 2006, in Japan.

Tests & Trials: Trials for 'USLOB0901' were conducted in a polyhouse during the spring of 2010 in St. Thomas, Ontario. The trial included a total of fifteen plants of the candidate and reference varieties. Plants were grown from rooted cuttings, except for plants of 'Regatta Sapphire', which were grown from seed plugs. All plants were transplanted into 11 cm pots on May 6, 2010. Observations and measurements were taken from ten plants or parts of plants on May 27, 2010. All colour determinations were made using the 2007 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison tables for 'USLOB0901' with reference varieties 'Regatta Sapphire' and 'KLELE08623'

Leaf blade length (cm)

Leaf blade width (cm)

Colour of upper corolla lobes (RHS)

Colour of lower corolla lobes (RHS)

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Lobelia: 'USLOB0901' (left) with reference variety 'Regatta Sapphire' (centre) and 'KLELE08623' (right)

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Lobelia: 'USLOB0901' (left) with reference variety 'Regatta Sapphire' (centre) and 'KLELE08623' (right)