- Collector
- Mike King (originator MK F17)
- First described
- 2013
- Into cultivation
- 2011
- Type
- single clone
Origin
Mike King-sourced rugelii (MK F17) from Milton, Santa Rosa Co, FL. Mike Wang acquired ~2011. The copper tinge on the lid and body is atypical for var. rugelii and likely reflects historical genetic introgression from S. x moorei (the local natural hybrid) or possibly S. flava var. cuprea.
History
- ~2011 — Mike acquires the clone
- 2013-04-22 — first significant pitcher production; copper-tinge phenotype first observable
- 2018-04-09 — Mike documents post-photobucket-loss recovery shots
- 2022-05-26 — neglected-but-thriving update
- 2023-06-05 — overexaggerated red-throat pitcher photographed (posted 2024-03-04)
Standout traits
- Copper tinge on lid + body (atypical for rugelii)
- Possible moorei or cuprea introgression
- Fluted trap shape
- Strong red-throat expression in best pitchers
Cultivation notes
Outdoor Northern California, vole/mole damage common.
Standout traits
- Unusual copper tinge on the lid and parts of the trap body — atypical for var. rugelii
- Suspected natural moorei (rugelii × leucophylla) or cuprea introgression
- Strong red-throat expression with overexaggerated red throats on some pitchers (Mike, post #9, 2024)
- Fluted trap shape (kiwiearl, post #2, 2013)
Cultivation
Mike acquired the plant in 2011 (per post #3, 2013 — "I think I got it in 2011"). The first significant pitcher production was 2013, and the bronze-color phenotype was not observed in earlier years (Mike speculates the early pitchers were too small to express it).
Vole/mole/gopher digging has knocked the bed down on multiple occasions (post #5, 2018).
Photos (8)
Naming
"MK F17" — Mike King's accession code (F17 series, where MK is Mike King). The 'copper tinge' descriptor is Mike Wang's, referring to the unusual copper coloration on the lid and body that's atypical for var. rugelii.