- First described
- 2023
- Into cultivation
- 2013
- Type
- single clone
- Cultivar
- 'MK A28'
Origin
A proven black S. alata from Mike King's collection ("MK") — specifically Mike King's accession A28 from Stone Co, Mississippi. Acquired by Mike Wang ~2013.
Standout traits
- Among the very best black alatas in cultivation (Mike rates 4-5 clones at this tier).
- Visually almost interchangeable with MK A58 — Mike: "at times, it's almost impossible to tell the difference."
- Outdoors in NorCal: doesn't reach near-black without LED/greenhouse supplementation (a "fake suntan").
- alexis (UK): A28 sometimes has mouths that fail to open properly, whereas A58 does not have this issue.
Cultivation notes
Black-alata coloration appears to be recessive — breeding two dark parents often does not produce superior offspring. The strongest black-hybrid program uses dark alatas crossed with other species (e.g., 'Black Widow' = dark alata × rubricorpora).
Standout traits
- Proven black alata clone — one of perhaps 4-5 best in cultivation per Mike.
- Visually nearly identical to MK A58 — Mike notes the two are at times almost impossible to tell apart.
- Outdoor color depth in NorCal limited; full near-black achievable mostly under LEDs/greenhouses or 'fake suntan' supplementation.
- alexis: A28 sometimes has mouths that don't open properly — A58 doesn't share this affliction.
- Critical building block for breeding dark hybrids.
Cultivation
Acquired by Mike "a little more than a decade" before 2023 (~2013). Has done well outdoors in Northern California, but full near-black coloration is hard to achieve outdoors — typically needs LEDs / greenhouse / extended cold for full color (cf. jyd's overwintered fall pitcher). Mike notes black alata coloration appears recessive — breeding two dark parents can produce non-superior offspring.
Photos (3)
Naming
'MK' = Mike King (collection of origin); 'A28' = Mike King's accession label.