Oxena

Verbena

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Sunvp-su' (Temari Bright Red) and 'Scarlena' (Tukana Scarlet)

Summary: 'Oxena' differs from the reference varieties in flower colour, division of the foliage, diameter of the inflorescence and colour of the eye of the corolla. 'Oxena' is a lighter red than 'Sunvp-su' and 'Scarlena'. The foliage of 'Oxena' is divided and dissected whereas it is not in both reference varieties. The diameter of the inflorescence of 'Oxena' is medium-sized whereas it is small-medium in 'Sunvp-su' and medium-large in 'Scarlena'. The corolla eye of 'Oxena' is white greenish whereas it is white greenish to pink in 'Sunvp-su' and dark red in 'Scarlena'.

Description:

'Oxena' is an annual verbena with a semi-creeping growth habit. The medium green stems have medium pubescence with strong anthocyanin colouration along the edges only. The light green leaves are lanceolate to ovate with a cuneate-shaped base. The leaf blades are divided-dissected with a rounded or acute apex. Anthocyanin colouration is absent. Pubescence density is medium and weak to medium on the upper and lower leaf surfaces respectively.

The inflorescence is a columniform to domed corymb which is both axillary and terminal in location. The bracts of the single florets are smaller in size than the calyx. The calyx has anthocyanin colouration on the upper part. The florets are medium in size. The corolla lobes are touching with curvature in longitudinal axis incurved, absent and recurved. The undulation of the corolla lobes is medium to strong. There is one colour of the corolla with a white greenish eye present on one lobe. The corolla colour of 'Oxena' fades with age. The corolla throat hairs are pink.

Origin & Breeding History: 'Oxena' was developed at Syngenta Seeds B.V. in Enkhuizen, The Netherlands. It resulted from a cross between 'Z 752' and 'Z 744' which took place in 1996. 'Oxena' was selected in 1997 based on flower colour and growth habit. It was developed by clonal selection and propagated vegetatively by cuttings.

Tests & Trials: Tests and trials for 'Oxena' were conducted in a double poly greenhouse at BioFlora Inc., St. Thomas, Ontario during the summer of 2003. Trials consisted of 15 plants/variety with one cutting/152 mm round pot. Colour characteristics were determined using the 2001 RHS colour chart. Measured characteristics were based on 10 measurements.

Comparison tables for 'Oxena' with reference varieties 'Sunvp-su' and 'Scarlena'

Leaf blade length (cm)

Leaf blade width (cm)

Inflorescence diameter (cm)

Floret diameter (mm)

Colour of fully open floret (RHS)