- First described
- 2023
- Type
- single clone
- Cultivar
- 'BLACK MW'
Origin
A Mike-selected (hence "MW") black S. alata from Stone Co, Mississippi. Found after pheno-hunting through thousands of seedlings from multiple populations. Formally classified as a select clone of S. alata var. nigropurpurea.
Standout traits
- Confirmed black alata that colors up despite heavy shading from neighboring traps — atypical, highly diagnostic.
- Mike's strongest dark alata for ease of color development outdoors; possibly the best in cultivation per Mike's evolving claim.
- Building-block for black-hybrid breeding programs.
Why this matters
Black alatas are critical building blocks for breeding black hybrids (e.g., 'Black Widow' = dark alata × rubricorpora). Mike notes they don't breed true — only a handful of genetically distinct dark alatas exist in cultivation, so each new one expands hybrid breeding options.
Cultivation notes
Will be isolated from community tray and propagated. Outdoors, many dark alatas color slowly without LED-style intense light — BLACK MW does not need this.
Standout traits
- Confirmed BLACK alata clone — colors up despite heavy shading from neighbors (atypical).
- Mike's strongest dark alata for *ease of color development* — matters because most dark clones color hard and slow under his outdoor NorCal conditions.
- Possibly the best black alata in cultivation — Mike's evolving claim across multiple updates.
- Building-block for breeding black hybrids (cf. 'Black Widow' is dark alata × rubricorpora).
Cultivation
Currently in a community tray; will be isolated and propagated. Outdoors, many dark alatas need a 'fake suntan' (LED-style intense light) to fully color — BLACK MW does not.
Photos (22)
Naming
'BLACK' = phenotype; 'MW' = Mike Wang (selector).