- Breeder
- Mike's selections from a Bay Co, FL seedling batch
- First described
- 2013
- Type
- population multi clone with named selections
Origin
Mike's selections from a Bay Co, FL flava seedling batch. Mike (post #1, 2013) hypothesizes the unusual phenotype results from historic rubricorpora × rugelii crosses repeated in the wild population. Mike explicitly avoids formal varietal designation — the plants are not plain ornata, rugelii, or Killer (post #9, 2014).
History
- 2013-04-27 — Mike's introduction; baby seedlings already showing strong throat color
- 2014-04-15 — rmeyer Q on naming; Mike commits to "extreme red throat" as the descriptor (post #9)
- 2014-04-23 — distinguishing feature confirmed: red color extends both above and below the neck (post #10)
- 2015-04 — Mike posts "faces of ERT" — multi-clone variation within the seedling batch
- 2015-04-15 — billredlionpa references Mike's accession code F24d (post #29)
- 2016-04-07 — Mike's mother plant ~3' tall (post #37)
- 2017-05-02 — Mike posts the Killer × rugelii Clone A segregation result (post #48), demonstrating ERT-like throats can arise from this cross — supporting genetic-mechanism hypothesis for both Killer and ERT
- 2017-05-05 — Mike states he "cloned the EF out of these plants" (post #57); widely distributed at this point
- 2018-05-14 — unidentified mother-plant division surfaces; Mike doesn't recognize it but keeps it (post #64)
- 2018-05-20 — Super ERT first introduction (post #70). Body can also turn solid red under optimal conditions. "One of a kind."
- 2019-06-27 — ERT select named selection introduced (post #76)
- 2019-12-17 — Mike confirms SERT body-red is environment- dependent — vibrant color even on small traps
- 2020-05-25 — Mike notices a previously-unobserved phenotype: ERT clones with completely green outside body (no anthocyanin veins on the outer tube) (post #81)
- 2021-06-02 — first 3'-tall ERT pitcher (post #82)
- 2021-08-15 — ERT formally added to Mike's "list of giants"
- 2022-2024 — annual SERT documentation continues
Standout traits
- Red throat extends above and below the neck (atypical for plain rugelii)
- Extreme red even on un-opened pitchers
- Pitcher height up to ~3' (~1m) — joins Mike's giants list
- Heavy lid-vein pattern intensifies with trap maturity
- SERT-only: body can turn solid red under ideal conditions
- Some clones express completely green outer body
- Visible from 20-30 feet — "flame in their throat"
Cultivation notes
Outdoor Northern California. Heavily distributed via Mike's sales under code F24d. SERT body-red is environment-dependent and does NOT appear every year (Mike confirms 2018 expression did not return in 2019; year-over-year variation is normal).
Genetic hypothesis
Mike's 2017 result (Killer × rugelii Clone A → extreme-red-throat segregants) is direct evidence that the ERT phenotype can arise from a Killer-like genetic background. Mike further hypothesizes Killer itself derives from a moorei or atropurpurea back-cross — meaning ERT, Killer, and certain heavily-red-throated rugelii variants share a common moorei/atropurpurea introgression history.
Photos
100+ photos imported across 2013-2024. Multiple named selections (ERT regular / Super ERT / ERT select) present in the gallery — named in captions where Mike specifies.
Standout traits
- Red throat is so pronounced you can see it from a distance — Mike: 'almost looks like they have a flame in their throat' (post #72, 2019)
- Red color consistently goes ABOVE and BELOW the neck — atypical for plain rugelii (Mike, post #10, 2014)
- Pitcher height up to ~3' (~1m) — Mike (post #37, 2016) and post #82 (2021): 'first time one of these extreme red throat plants have produced a 3' tall pitcher'
- Red throat visible even on un-opened pitcher (Mike, post #10, 2014)
- Heavy lid-vein pattern that gets darker and sharper as traps mature
- Some clones have completely green outside body (no anthocyanin veins) — first documented by Mike post #81 (2020)
- Super ERT specifically: body can turn SOLID red, not just throat — phenotype is environment-dependent
- Adaetz100's SERT: 'a dramatic flared shape, very hefty/substantial appearance' (post #85, 2022)
Cultivation
Outdoor Northern California. Mike "cloned the EF out of these plants" (post #57, 2017) — many of his customers and forum members hold genetics from these individuals. Phenotype expression varies considerably year-over-year, particularly for Super ERT's body-red expression — Mike notes the 2018 body-red did not return in 2019 (post #73), but throat expression and lid-vein pattern remain dominant.
Distribution / sales: Mike sold these under accession code F24d (per billredlionpa post #29, 2015).
Photos (126)
Naming
Mike's descriptive label — "extreme red throat." Mike initially flirted with "Killer-like" naming (post #1, 2013) but in post #9 (2014) explicitly distances the plant from formal ornata / rugelii / Killer designations: "It probably should have a varietal name at some point, but we won't get into that." - "Regular" ERT — multi-clone selection from the seedling batch - "Super ERT" (SERT) — one standout clone with body that turns solid red under ideal conditions - "ERT select" — distinct named selection (post #76, 2019) - "Super sonic extreme" / "ultimate extreme" / "Sabado Gigante extreme" — joke names for additional standout clones (posts #67-69, 2018, by Mike + community) Mike's accession code F24d appears in post #29 (2015) — billredlionpa notes Mike was selling them under that code.