Lobelia plant named ‘LOCLA02-0’

Abstract

A new and distinct Lobelia erinus cultivar named LOCLA02-0 is disclosed, characterized by very well-branched, compact plants. Flowers are large and distinctively bright lavender purple with a white throat. Foliage is attractive dark green under high light conditions. The new variety is a Lobelia, and is normally used as an ornamental garden or container plant.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Lobelia plant named LOCLA02-0 as herein illustrated and described.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

(1) The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a typical plant of LOCLA02-0 grown in a greenhouse and photographed in April. The pot size is a commercial 8 inch pot. The plant shown is approximately 16 weeks old.

(2) FIG. 2 illustrates a close up of flowers of the new variety, photographed during April. The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

(3) In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 2007 except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe LOCLA02-0 plants grown in a commercial controlled greenhouse in Santa Paula, Calif. Temperatures ranged from 15 C. to 28 C. during the day and 18 C. to 22 C. at night. No artificial light, photoperiodic treatments or chemical treatments were given to the plants. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types. Botanical classification: Lobelia erinus LOCLA02-0.

PROPAGATION

(4) Time to initiate roots: About 8 to 14 days at approximately 25 C. Root description: Fibrous, colored near RHS Greyed-Orange 165D.

PLANT

(5) Growth habit: Mounded flowering annual. Plant spread: 50 cm. Growth rate: Moderate to rapid. Branching characteristics: Very well branched. Length of primary lateral branches: Average range 8 to 18 cm. Diameter of lateral branches: 3 mm. Quantity of primary lateral branches: About 230. Characteristics of primary lateral branches: Form.Round. Color.Near RHS Green 138A, flushed Greyed-Purple N186C or N186D. Texture.Short, somewhat rough, dense pubescence. Strength.Moderately flexible and strong. Internode length: Average range 1.0 to 2.0 cm.

FOLIAGE

(6) Leaf: Arrangement.Alternate. Quantity.Approximately 8 to 18 per branch. Average length.2.5 to 3.5 cm. Average width.7 to 10 mm. Shape of blade.Lanceolate to narrow elliptic. Apex.Acute. Base.Truncate. Margin.Sparse, shallow irregularly shaped dentations. Texture of top surface.Somewhat rough pubescence. Texture of bottom surface.Somewhat rough pubescence. Aspect.Slightly undulating. Color.Young foliage upper side: RHS Green 137B flushed N186C. Young foliage under side: RHS Green 138A. Mature foliage upper side: RHS Green 137C, heavily flushed N186C. Mature foliage under side: RHS Green 137C, heavily flushed N186C. Venation.Type: Pinnate. Venation color upper side: RHS Green 143C. Venation color under side: RHS Green 137C. Petiole.Sessile.

FLOWER

(7) Natural flowering season: Flowering occurs continuously during growing season from spring until fall under Southern California climatic conditions. Flowering begins approximately 3 weeks after planting a rooted cutting. Flower type and habit: Flowers arranged singly at lateral apices. Number of flowers per plant: Approximately 500. Fragrance: None. Longevity: Depending on weather conditions, 7-14 days for single flower. Flowering season for the entire plant lasts approximately 250 days. Flower size: Overall length.1.7 cm. Overall width.2.5 cm. Tube length.1.1 cm. Diameter.Distal end: 4 mm. Proximal end: 3 mm. Flower shape and petal arrangement: Tubular with three larger lower petals and two upright petals. Bud: Shape.Conical with a distal sphere. Length.1.4 cm. Diameter.7 mm. Color.Near RHS Greyed-Purple N187D, upper section Green-White 157A, distal sphere flushed Violet 83B. Corolla: Petals/lobes.Number: 5 total, 3 large lower and 2 smaller upper petals. Upper petals. Length: 11 mm. Width: 4 mm. Lower petals. Length: 1.4 cm. Width: 0.9 cm. Shape: Obovate. Aspect: Slightly undulate. Margin: Entire, slightly undulate. Texture: Smooth. Color: Upper Petals: When opening: Upper surface: Near RHS Purple-Violet N81A. Lower surface: Near RHS Purple-Violet N82B, mid vein and blotches N81A. Fully opened: Upper surface: Near RHS Purple-Violet N81A, very slightly flushed Violet 83A. Lower surface: Near RHS Purple-Violet N82B, mid vein and blotches N81A. Lower Petals: When opening: Upper surface: Central section of all petals together near White N155A, irregularly blotched N82C. Outer edge of side petals near Purple-Violet N82C flushed Violet 83D. Lower surface: Central section of all petals together near White N155A, irregularly blotched N82B and N82C. Outer edge of side petals near Purple-Violet N82B flushed 82A and Violet 83B. Fully opened: Upper surface: Central section of all petals together near White N155A, irregularly blotched N82C. Outer edge of side petals near Purple-Violet N82C. Lower surface: Central section of all petals together near White N155A, irregularly blotched N82B and N82C. Outer edge of side petals near Purple-Violet N82D flushed N82A. Throat.Color: Near RHS White N155D, flushed Violet 83A. Texture.Glabrous. Tube color.Interior: Near RHS Purple-Violet N82C. Exterior: Near RHS Purple-Violet N82A. Calyx: Form.Star-shaped structure composed of 5 sepals fused at base. Length.0.9 cm. Diameter.1.0 cm. Sepal shape.Lanceolate. Sepal margin.Entire. Sepal texture.Lightly pubescent all surfaces. Sepal color.Upper surface: Near Green 137A heavily flushed Violet 83A. Lower surface: Near Green 137A heavily flushed Violet 83A. Fragrance: None. Peduncles: Length.About 2.0 cm. Diameter.About 0.8 mm. Color.Green 137C, flushed Purple N79A. Texture.Rough pubescence. Aspect.Undulating. Strength.Soft, flexible.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

(8) Stamens: Number (per flower).5, fused. Filament length.8 mm. Anthers.Shape: Oblong. Length: 1.5 mm. Color: Near RHS Greyed-Purple N187B. Pollen.Color: Near RHS Greyed-Purple N187D. Amount: Scant to none. Pistils: Quantity per flower.1. Length.8 mm. Style.Length: 7 mm. Color: Near RHS White N155B. Stigma.Shape: Linear. Color: RHS Purple-Violet N82A. Color.Near RHS Greyed-Yellow 161D.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

(9) Seeds and fruits: Not observed to date. Disease/pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to diseases or pests has been observed in this variety. Temperature tolerance: The new variety tolerates temperatures from approximately 5 to 35-8 C.