Carousel Dark Red

Poinsettia

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Future'

Summary: The intensity of reddish colouration on the stem of 'Carousel Dark Red' is strong while that on 'Future' is medium intensity. 'Carousel Dark Red' has strong to very strong intensity of reddish colouration on the upper side of the petiole while 'Future' has medium to strong intensity of colouration. The lower side of the petiole of 'Carousel Dark Red' has weak to medium intensity of reddish colouration while that of 'Future' has very weak to weak intensity of colouration. 'Carousel Dark Red' is dark purple red on the upper and lower sides of the bract while 'Future' is red on the upper side and dark pink red on the lower side. The cyathium of 'Carousel Dark Red' has very strong intensity of red colouration on the margin of the glands while 'Future' has strong intensity of colouration.

Description:

PLANT: no monstrosity, medium to many branches, medium height, medium to broad
STEM: strong reddish colouration

LEAF: medium to long, narrow to medium width, broad ovate, wedge-shaped base, variegated, medium to strong greenish colouration on lower side, reddish veins on upper and lower sides, absent or very weak development of lobes, no margin incisions
PETIOLE: very short to short, weak to medium reddish colouration on lower side

BRACT: medium number of uniform coloured bracts, medium number of bicoloured bracts, large distance between bracts, dark purple red on upper side, margin and main part similar in colour on upper side, dark purple red on lower side, no lobes, no margin incisions, folding present, no curving, twisting present, strong rugosity between veins
LARGEST BRACT: very short to short (including petiole), narrow, rounded base, broad ovate

CYME: medium width
CYATHIUM: medium sized orange glands, very strong red colouration of margin of glands, late opening of first three cyathia

Origin & Breeding History: 'Carousel Dark Red' originated from a naturally occuring mutation of the variety 'Future'. The new variety was discovered in a greenhouse in Japan in July 2003. The plant was grown and multiplied by vegetative cuttings during the summer of 2004. The first trial cultivation was made in the autumn of 2004 and the clone proved uniform. 'Carousel Dark Red' was selected based on flower colour, foliage colour, plant growth habit and cultivation time.

Tests & Trials: The detailed description of 'Carousel Dark Red' is based on the UPOV Report of Technical Examination, application number 23994, purchased from the Community Plant Variety Office, Angers, France. The trials were conducted by the University of Aarhus in Aarslev, Denmark in 2007. Colour determinations were made using the 2001 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison table for 'Carousel Dark Red' with reference variety 'Future'

Colour of bract (RHS)

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Poinsettia: 'Carousel Dark Red'