Royal Velvet Distinction
| Denomination: | 'Royal Velvet Distinction' |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name: | Melittis melissophyllum |
| Applicant/Holder: |
de Koning, Eleonore Kruipuitsedijk 3, 4436 RC Oudelande Netherlands |
| Breeder: |
Eleonore de Koning, Oudelande, Netherlands |
| Agent in Canada: |
Variety Rights Management 475 County Road 18 R.R. #2 Oxford Station, Ontario K0G 1T0 Canada Tel: 613-258-9015 |
| Application Date: | 2002-01-11 |
| Application Number: | 02-2960 |
| Grant of Rights Date: | 2009-02-17 |
| Certificate Number: | 3452 |
| Date rights surrendered: | 2023-02-17 |
Variety Description
Variety used for comparison: Melittis melissophyllum
Summary: 'Royal Velvet Distinction' has darker green leaves than the species Melittis melissophyllum. The plant of 'Royal Velvet Distinction' has fewer stems than the species Melittis melissophyllum. The central lobe of the lower lip of the flower of 'Royal Velvet Distinction' is purple when freshly opened while it is light blue violet to violet for the species Melittis melissophyllum.
Description:
PLANT: vegetatively propagated, perennial, upright-bushy growth habit, sparse to medium branching
STEM: medium green, absent to very weak anthocyanin colouration, absent or very weak glaucosity, sparse to medium pubescence
LEAF: opposite arrangement, simple type, elliptic, acute apex, serrate margin, medium pubescence on upper side, dark green on upper side, no variegation, petiole present
FLOWER: one early flowering period of short to medium duration, simple type, axillary positioned, whorled in leaf axils
FLORET: upper lip white on inner side, central lobe of lower lip purple on inner side
Origin & Breeding History: 'Royal Velvet Distinction' was selected in Oudelande, The Netherlands in 1996 from a seed bed of hybrid Melittis melissophyllum seedlings that were produced from a cross of two unidentified Melittis melissophyllum selections. It was selected on the basis of unique floral characteristics and plant habit.
Tests & Trials: Trials were conducted during the summer of 2007 in Oxford Station, Ontario. Trials consisted of 10 plants of each variety individually grown in 15 cm pots in a poly house.
Comparison table for 'Royal Velvet Distinction' with reference variety Melittis melissophyllum
Flower colour (RHS)
| 'Royal Velvet Distinction' | Melittis melissophyllum | |
|---|---|---|
| upper lip | white | white |
| central lobe of lower lip when freshly opened | 70A/B | 76A to 77C/D |
| central lobe of lower lip when aged | 77C/D | 76A to 77C/D |
| lateral lobes of lower lip | white | white |
Click on image for larger view
Bastard Balm: 'Royal Velvet Distinction' (left) with Melittis melissophyllum (right)
Click on image for larger view
Bastard Balm: 'Royal Velvet Distinction' (left) with Melittis melissophyllum (right)
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