- First described
- 2022
A FL-type cuprea — likely watered-down atropurpurea (atro × rugelii hybrid or atro polyhybrid). Genetically distinct from Carolina cupreas. Mostly green body, copper top, variable red throat splotch. 6 photos (single 2022 season).
Standout traits
- Florida cuprea expression — rare in FL (more common in Carolinas)
- Mostly green body + copper top
- Mike's hybrid-origin hypothesis: atropurpurea × rugelii (or atro polyhybrid F1)
- Throat red splotch is variable year-to-year
- Copper extends down tube as well as on lid (per alexis 2022 — characteristic of FL atropurpurea-rugelii cupreas)
- alexis: 'You seem to get the throat patch from the rugelii parent and the copper seems to be as much down the tube as on the lid due to the red parent.'
Cultivation
- Was crammed in community pot for ~10 years before Mike transplanted (2021) — first decent expression in 2022.
Photos (6)
Naming
'cuprea' here is descriptive (copper-top phenotype), not a taxonomic claim. Mike (2022): 'I'm not sure I'd like to lump this together with the carolina cupreas, which are genetically different and of a different hybrid origin.'