- Collector
- Brooks Garcia
- First described
- 2014
A primary natural hybrid (S. alata × S. leucophylla) from Washington County, AL — sourced via Brooks Garcia. Distinctive floppy hood and a "reverse color" pitcher habit (opens dark red, ages whiter) typical of S. × areolata. Documented from 2014 to 2022 (30 Mike photos).
Origin
Wild-origin primary hybrid from a sympatric S. alata + S. leucophylla site in Washington County, AL. Mike's plant came from Brooks Garcia (Mike, post 1, 2014-09-23). Original collection year and Mike's acquisition year are [MISSING].
History
- Wild origin: Washington Co, AL. Date [MISSING].
- Pre-2014: Mike acquires the clone from Brooks Garcia.
- 2014-09-12 (post 1): First forum documentation. Mike notes the reverse-color habit and credits Brooks.
- 2014-09-24 (post 2): hcarlton confirms the reverse-color habit is widespread among S. × areolata clones.
- 2015-07-02 / 08-30 / 09-20: Multi-update season — Mike documents the floppy lid character developing as the season advances.
- 2015-09-20: Heat damage to biggest developing fall traps.
- 2016-08-29: "a lot more colorful this year and quite floppy."
- 2016-09-15: Continued documentation.
- 2021-08-12: Long-interval update — clone still going strong.
- 2022-08-04: Latest update in this thread.
Standout traits
- Floppy hood — defining structural trait, attributed to alata parentage.
- Reverse-color habit — opens dark red, ages toward white.
- Two flushes — spring/summer + fall.
- Vigorous primary hybrid.
- Heat-burn susceptibility noted in extreme heat events.
Cultivation notes
Provide some heat protection during extreme NorCal heat waves to avoid trap burn. Otherwise, standard hybrid Sarracenia culture (closer to leucophylla than alata in needs).
Photos
See gallery below — 30 Mike-photos spanning 2014 through 2022.
Standout traits
- Floppy / drooping hood — 'super-long lid that's too heavy to stand up' (Mike, 2015-07-06)
- Reverse-color habit — traps OPEN dark red and slowly turn whiter as they age, opposite to typical leucophylla behavior. Forum context (hcarlton, post 2): 'a lot of areolata have the reverse color habit'
- Vigorous primary hybrid — produces 2 solid flushes of pitchers (spring/summer + fall)
- Fall pitchers larger and more vibrant than spring/summer (typical for both alata and leucophylla parents)
- Leucophylla-dominant phenotype overall, with the floppy lid trait attributed to alata genetics by Mike
- Abundant medium-height pitchers — 'rather vigorous' (Mike, 2014)
- Chameleon coloration — pinkish, red, and white phases observed across years
- Heat-burn susceptibility — Mike (2015-09-22) lost some of the biggest fall traps to a heat wave
Cultivation
- Heat-burn susceptibility. During Northern California heat waves (2015-09), some of the biggest developing fall traps burned. Provide some shade or extra water during heat events.
- Two flush rhythm. Spring/summer + fall, like both parents.
- Don't judge by freshness. Reverse-color habit means 'opening' traps look quite different from aged ones — the color story plays in reverse.
- Standard hybrid Sarracenia culture otherwise.
Photos (30)
Naming
Mike's descriptive label 'flop top' — references the hood/lid not standing fully erect; it droops or 'flops' as the trap matures. Mike (post 6, 2015-07-06): "the top is quite floppy as the name suggests... It's like a super-long lid that's too heavy to stand up."