A new and distinct cultivar of Bacopa plant named ‘Duebahskybu’, characterized by its compact, mounding and trailing growth habit; vigorous growth habit; freely branching habit; freely flowering habit; and light violet-colored flowers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofBacopaplant, botanically known asBacopa hybridaand hereinafter referred to by the name ‘Duebahskybu’.

The newBacopaplant is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in Rheinberg, Germany. The objective of the breeding program is to create new compactBacopaplants with numerous violet-colored flowers.

The newBacopaplant originated from a cross-pollination made by the Inventor in Rheinberg, Germany in July, 2010 of a proprietary selection ofBacopa hybridaidentified as code number F-02-0702, not patented, as the female, or seed, parent with a proprietary selection ofBacopa hybridaidentified as code number F-19-7162, not patented, as the male, or pollen, parent. The newBacopaplant was discovered and selected by the Inventor as a flowering plant from within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlled greenhouse environment in Rheinberg, Germany in May, 2012.

Asexual reproduction of the newBacopaplant by cuttings in a controlled greenhouse environment in Rheinberg, Germany since June, 2012, has shown that the unique features of this newBacopaplant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘Duebahskybu’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘Duebahskybu’ as a new and distinctBacopaplant:1. Compact, mounding and trailing growth habit.2. Vigorous growth habit.3. Freely branching habit.4. Freely flowering habit.5. Light violet-colored flowers.

Plants of the newBacopacan be compared to plants of the female parent selection. Plants of the newBacopadiffer primarily from plants of the female parent selection in flower color as plants of the newBacopahave lighter violet-colored flowers than plants of the female parent selection.

Plants of the newBacopacan be compared to plants of the male parent selection. Plants of the newBacopadiffer primarily from plants of the male parent selection in flower color as plants of the male parent selection have pink-colored flowers.

Plants of the newBacopaalso can be compared to plants of theBacopa‘Scopia Gulliver Blue’, not patented. In side-by-side comparisons conducted in Rheinberg, Germany, plants of the newBacopadiffered primarily from plants of ‘Scopia Gulliver Blue’ in the following characteristics:1. Plants of the newBacopawere larger than plants of ‘Scopia Gulliver Blue’.2. Plants of the newBacopahad longer internodes than plants of ‘Scopia Gulliver Blue’.3. Plants of the newBacopahad larger flowers than plants of ‘Scopia Gulliver Blue’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photograph and following observations, measurements and values describe plants grown during the summer in 10.5-cm containers in a glass-covered greenhouse in Rheinberg, Germany and under cultural practices typical of commercialBacopaproduction. During the production of the plants, day and night temperatures averaged 18° C. and light levels averaged 4,500 lux. Plants were pinched one time three weeks after planting and were 13 weeks old when the photograph and the description were taken. In the description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 1995 Edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.Botanical classification:Bacopa hybrida‘Duebahskybu’.Parentage:Female, or seed, parent.—Proprietary selection ofBacopa hybridaidentified as code number F-02-0702, not patented.Male or pollen parent.—Proprietary selection ofBacopa hybridaidentified as code number F-19-7162, not patented.Propagation:Type.—By cuttings.Time to initiate roots, summer.—About five days at temperatures of 20° C.Time to initiate roots, winter.—About seven days at temperatures of 20° C.Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer.—About three weeks at temperatures of 20° C.Time to produce a rooted young plant, winter.—About four weeks at temperatures of 20° C.Root description.—Fine, fibrous; white in color.Rooting habit.—Freely branching; dense.Plant description:Plant and growth habit.—Compact, mounded and trailing plant habit; vigorous growth habit.Branching habit.—Freely branching habit about six to eight lateral branches develop per plant; pinching enhances branching potential.Plant height.—About 17 cm.Plant diameter(area of spread).—About 49 cm.Lateral branch description:Length.—About 24.9 cm.Diameter.—About 2.1 mm.Internode length.—About 2.5 cm.Strength.—Strong.Texture.—Pubescent.Color.—Close to 143B.Leaf description:Arrangement.—Opposite, simple.Length.—About 2.2 cm.Width.—About 2.3 cm.Shape.—Ovate.Apex.—Acuminate.Base.—Obtuse.Margin.—Crenulate.Texture, upper and lower surfaces.—Sparsely pubescent.Venation pattern.—Pinnate.Color.—Developing and fully expanded leaves, upper surface: Close to 144A; venation, close to 144A. Developing and fully expanded leaves, lower surface: Close to 144B; venation, close to 144A.Petioles.—Length: About 4.7 mm. Diameter: About 2 mm. Texture, upper and lower surfaces: Pubescent. Color, upper surface: Close to 144A. Color, lower surface: Close to 144B.Flower description:Flower arrangement.—Single rotate flowers; freely flowering habit with potentially about 175 to 195 flowers developing per plant; flowers face mostly upright.Fragrance.—None detected.Natural flowering season.—Plants begin flowering about six weeks after planting and flower continuously year-round in moderate climates.Flower longevity.—Flowers last about one week on the plant; flowers not persistent.Flower diameter.—About 2.1 cm by 2.2 cm.Flower length(height).—About 1.1 cm.Throat diameter.—About 4.2 mm.Tube length.—About 9 mm.Flower buds.—Length: About 8.8 mm. Diameter: About 4.4 mm. Shape: Spatulate. Color: Close to 87D.Petals.—Quantity per flower: Corolla consists of five petals fused at the base. Lobe length: About 9.4 mm. Lobe width: About 8.4 mm. Lobe shape: Obovate. Lobe apex: Obtuse, rounded. Lobe margin: Entire. Texture: Petal lobes, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous. Throat: Smooth, glabrous. Tube: Smooth, glabrous. Color: Petal lobes, when opening, upper surface: Close to 87B. Petal lobes, when opening, lower surface: Close to 87C. Petal lobes, fully opened, upper surface: Close to 87C; color becoming closer to 87A with development. Petal lobes, fully opened, lower surface: Close to 87D; color becoming closer to 87B with development. Throat: Close to 163A. Tube: Close to 162A.Sepals.—Appearance: Five sepals fused into a tubular calyx. Length: About 7.6 mm. Width: About 1.8 mm. Shape: Lanceolate. Apex: Acute. Margin: Entire. Texture, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous. Color, upper surface: Close to 144A. Color, lower surface: Close to 144B.Peduncles.—Length: About 1.1 cm. Diameter: About 1 mm. Angle: Erect. Strength: Strong. Texture: Smooth, glabrous. Color: Close to 137C.Reproductive organs.—Androecium: Stamen number: About four. Filament length: About 7.8 mm. Filament color: Close to 155B. Anther shape: Cylindrical. Anther length: About 1.5 mm. Anther color: Close to 16A. Amount of pollen: Abundant. Pollen color: Close to 15B. Gynoecium: Pistil length: About 1 cm. Style length: About 7 mm. Style color: Close to 144D. Stigma color: Close to 144B. Ovary color: Close to 144B.Seeds&fruits.—Seed and fruit production have not been observed on plants of the newBacopa.Temperature tolerance: Plants of the newBacopahave been observed to tolerate temperatures from about 5° C. to about 40° C.Pathogen & pest resistance: Plants of the newBacopahave not been shown to be resistant to pathogens and pests common toBacopaplants.