Patent Publication Number: US-PP30608-P2

Title: Verbena plant named ‘Balcadavlu’

Description:
Latin name of genus and species of plant claimed:  Verbena  hybrid. 
     Variety denomination: ‘Balcadavlu’. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of  Verbena  plant botanically known as  Verbena  hybrid and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘Balcadavlu’. 
     The new cultivar originated in a controlled breeding program in Arroyo Grande, Calif. during May 2014. The objective of the breeding program was the development of  Verbena  cultivars that have a compact-upright growth habit. 
     The new  Verbena  cultivar is the result of cross-pollination. The female (seed) parent of the new cultivar is the proprietary  Verbena  hybrid breeding selection coded 9936-3, not patented, characterized by its medium red-colored flowers, medium green-colored foliage, and vigorous, spreading growth habit. The male (pollen) parent of the new cultivar is the proprietary  Verbena  hybrid breeding selection coded 9934-4, not patented, characterized by its medium purple-colored flowers, medium green-colored foliage, and moderately vigorous, compact-upright growth habit. The new cultivar was discovered and selected as a single flowering plant within the progeny of the above stated cross-pollination during April 2015 in a controlled environment in Arroyo Grande, Calif. 
     Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by terminal stem cuttings since April 2015 in Arroyo Grande, Calif., and West Chicago, Ill. has demonstrated that the new cultivar reproduces true to type with all of the characteristics, as herein described, firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of such asexual propagation. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The following characteristics of the new cultivar have been repeatedly observed and can be used to distinguish ‘Balcadavlu’ as a new and distinct cultivar of  Verbena  plant:
         1. Medium and dark purple-violet and white-colored flowers;   2. Medium green-colored foliage; and   3. Moderately vigorous, compact-upright growth habit.       

     Plants of the new cultivar differ from plants of the female parent primarily in having a different flower color, less growth vigor and a different growth habit. Plants of the new cultivar differ from plants of the male parent primarily in having a different flower color. 
     Of the many commercially available  Verbena  cultivars, the most similar in comparison to the new cultivar is LANAI Upright Blue with Eye ‘VEAZ0007’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,595. However, in side by side comparisons, plants of the new cultivar differ from plants of ‘VEAZ0007’ in at least the following characteristics:
         1. Plants of the new cultivar have a flower color that is slightly different from plants of ‘VEAZ0007’;   2. Plants of the new cultivar have white coloration only at the base of the two lateral petals and the lower petal and as such do not have a true flower “eye” unlike plants of ‘VEAZ0007’ that have white coloration at the base of all five petals; and   3. Plants of the new cultivar are shorter than plants of ‘VEAZ0007’.       

    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS 
       The accompanying photographs show, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color illustrations of this type, typical flower and foliage characteristics of the new cultivar. Colors in the photographs differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed description, which accurately describes the colors of ‘Balcadavlu’. The plants were grown in 4-inch pots for 13 weeks in a greenhouse in West Chicago, Ill. Plants were given one pinch one week after transplant. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a side view of the overall growth and flowering habit of ‘Balcadavlu’. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a close-up view of an individual inflorescence of ‘Balcadavlu’. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION 
     The new cultivar has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions to date. Accordingly, it is possible that the phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in the environment, such as temperature, light intensity, and day length, without, however, any variance in genotype. 
     The chart used in the identification of colors described herein is The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England, 2015 edition, except where general color terms of ordinary significance are used. The color values were determined in January 2018 under natural light conditions in West Chicago, Ill. 
     The following descriptions and measurements describe plants produced from cuttings from stock plants and grown in a glass-covered greenhouse under conditions comparable to those used in commercial practice. The plants were grown in West Chicago, Ill. in 4-inch pots for 13 weeks utilizing a soilless growth medium. Plants were given one pinch one week after transplant. Greenhouse temperatures were maintained at approximately 68° F. to 72° F. (20° C. to 22° C.) during the day and approximately 64° F. to 66° F. (18° C. to 19° C.) during the night. Supplemental lighting was used. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plants.
     Botanical classification:  Verbena  hybrid ‘Balcadavlu’.   Parentage:
             Female parent. —Proprietary  Verbena  hybrid breeding selection coded 9936-3, not patented.     Male parent. —Proprietary  Verbena  hybrid breeding selection coded 9934-4, not patented.       
       Propagation:
             Type cutting. —Terminal stem.     Time to initiate roots. —Approximately 6 to 9 days.     Time to produce a rooted cutting. —Approximately 24 to 28 days.     Root description. —Fibrous.     Rooting habit. —Freely branching.       
       Plant description:
             Commercial crop time. —Approximately 5 to 7 weeks from a rooted cutting to finish in a 10 cm pot.     Growth habit and general appearance. —Moderately vigorous, compact-upright.     Size. —Height from soil level to top of plant plane: Approximately 16.0 cm. Width: Approximately 19.0 cm.     Branching habit. —Freely branching, pinching enhances basal branching. Quantity of main branches per plant: Approximately 6.     Branch. —Shape: Square in cross section. Strength: Strong. Length: Approximately 13.0 cm. Diameter: Approximately 3.0 mm. Length of central internode: Approximately 1.5 cm. Texture: Densely pubescent with a mixture of glandular and nonglandular hairs. Gland color: Colorless, transparent. Color of young stems: 145A. Color of mature stems: 146D.       
       Foliage description:
             General description. —Quantity of leaves per main branch: Approximately 10. Fragrance: None detected. Form: Simple. Arrangement: Opposite.     Leaves. —Aspect: Perpendicular to stem, obtuse angle with age. Shape: Ovate to oblong. Margin: Crenate. Apex: Broadly acute to rounded. Base: Truncate. Venation pattern: Pinnate. Length of mature leaf: Approximately 5.5 cm. Width of mature leaf: Approximately 3.6 cm. Texture of upper surface: Densely pubescent. Texture of lower surface: Densely pubescent with a mixture of glandular and nonglandular hairs. Gland color: Colorless, transparent. Color of upper surface of young and mature foliage: Closest to but darker than 137A with venation of 147C. Color of lower surface of young and mature foliage: Closest to 137B with venation of 147C.     Petiole. —Length: Approximately 1.2 cm. Diameter: Approximately 2.0 mm. Texture: Densely pubescent with a mixture of glandular and nonglandular hairs. Gland color: Colorless, transparent. Color: 147C to 147D.       
       Flowering description:
             Flowering habit. —‘Balcadavlu’ is freely flowering under outdoor growing conditions with substantially continuous blooming from spring through autumn and year-round in greenhouse environment.     Lastingness of individual flower on the plant. —Approximately 5 to 7 days.       
       Inflorescence description:
             General description. —Type: Corymb. Shape: Hemispherical, broad ovate when viewed in profile. Quantity per plant: Approximately 4. Fragrance: None detected. Length or height: 2.8 cm. Width: Approximately 6.0 cm. Quantity of fully open flowers per inflorescence: Approximately 12.     Peduncle. —Strength: Strong. Aspect: Erect. Length: Approximately 1.5 cm. Diameter: Approximately 2.0 mm. Texture: Densely pubescent with a mixture of glandular and nonglandular hairs. Gland color: Colorless, transparent. Color: 137C.       
       Flower description:
             General description. —Type: Sessile, salverform.     Bud. —Rate of opening: Generally takes 2 to 3 days for bud to progress from first color to fully open flower. Quantity of unopened inflorescences per plant: Approximately 1.     Bud just before opening. —Shape: Elongated, globular at apex. Length: Approximately 1.2 cm. Diameter: Approximately 3.0 mm. Color: Petal portion N81C, sepal portion 137B.     Corolla. —Shape: Round. Diameter: Approximately 2.3 cm. Depth: Approximately 3.1 cm.     Petals. —Quantity: 5, fused at base forming a tube. Shape: Obovate. Arrangement: Free to slightly overlapping. Appearance: Dull. Margin: Entire, weak undulation. Apex: Emarginate. Length of upper petals from tube: Approximately 9.0 mm. Width of upper petals: Approximately 9.0 mm. Length of lateral petals from tube: Approximately 9.0 mm. Width of lateral petals: Approximately 1.0 cm. Length of lower petal from tube: Approximately 1.2 cm. Width of lower petal: Approximately 1.0 cm. Texture of upper surface: Glabrous with glandular pubescent base. Texture of lower surface: Sparsely pubescent with a mixture of glandular and nonglandular hairs. Gland color: Colorless, transparent. Color of upper surface when first open: Lateral and lower petals N81B with medium “eye” area of NN155D at base and 145B at throat opening; upper petals of N81A with an overlay of 71A to 71B at base; 145B at throat opening. Color of lower surface when first open: NN155D with an overlay of N81C; overlay slightly heavier on upper petals. Color of upper surface when fully open: Lateral and lower petals N81C with medium “eye” area of NN155D at base and 145B at throat opening; upper petals of N81B with an overlay of 71B at base; 145B at throat opening. Color of lower surface when fully open: NN155D with an overlay of N81D; overlay slightly heavier on upper petals. Color of whiskers surrounding the opening of the corolla tube: 145D.     Corolla tube. —Length: Approximately 2.1 cm. Diameter at proximal end: Approximately 1.0 mm. Diameter at distal end: Approximately 2.0 mm. Texture of outer surface: Upper half moderately glandular pubescent, lower half glabrous. Gland color: Colorless, transparent. Texture of inner surface: Densely pubescent. Color of outer surface: 145D with 145C at distal end. Color of inner surface: 145D with 145B at throat opening.     Calyx. —Shape: Tubular. Length: Approximately 1.2 cm. Width: Approximately 3.0 mm.     Sepals. —Quantity per flower: 5, fused at base. Shape: Linear. Apex: Multiple acute tips. Length: Approximately 1.2 cm. Width: Approximately 1.0 mm. Texture of inner surface: Moderately pubescent. Texture of outer surface: Densely pubescent with a mixture of glandular and nonglandular hairs. Gland color: Colorless, transparent. Color of inner and outer surfaces: 137B.     Stipules. —Shape: Lanceolate. Apex: Three acute tips arranged in a cross shape. Length: Approximately 7.0 mm. Width at base: Approximately 1.0 mm. Texture of inner surface: Sparsely pubescent. Texture of outer surface: Densely pubescent with a mixture of glandular and nonglandular hairs. Gland color: Colorless, transparent. Color of inner and outer surfaces: 144A at base transitioning to 137A at apex.     Reproductive organs. —Androecium: Stamen quantity: 4, didynamous. Stamen length of longer pair: Approximately 2.0 mm. Stamen length of shorter pair: Approximately 1.0 mm. Anther shape: Bilobed, ovoid. Anther length: Approximately 1.0 mm. Anther color: 144B. Pollen amount: Moderate. Pollen color: 1D. Gynoecium: Pistil quantity: 1 per flower. Pistil length: Approximately 1.7 cm. Stigma shape: Bifid. Stigma length: Less than 1.0 mm. Stigma color: 137A. Style length: Approximately 1.6 cm. Style color: 145D. Ovary diameter: Approximately 1.0 mm. Ovary texture: Glabrous. Ovary color: 144B.       
       Seed and fruit production: Neither seed nor fruit production has been observed.   Disease and pest resistance: Resistance to pathogens and pests common to  Verbena  has not been observed.