- First described
- 2015
A select individual within Mike's 'RED' Greenville Co, SC S. jonesii accession — distinguished by lips that redden when the trap opens and then BLACKEN as the trap ages. Genetic (not environmental) — confirmed by year-over-year stability. Documented from 2015 to 2022 (24 Mike photos).
Origin
A select individual emerging from Mike's broader 'RED' Greenville Co, SC seed-grown population (see related entry). Only 1-2 individuals in the entire batch carry the black-lip trait.
The discovery was prompted by Jeff Dallas's questions about red jonesii color expression in the parent thread (2165), which made Mike re-inspect his Greenville Co batch closely.
History
- Pre-2015: BLACK LIPS individual exists unrecognized within Mike's broader 'RED' Greenville Co accession.
- 2015-07-08 (post 1): Mike's "didn't believe my eyes" discovery post.
- 2015-08-14 (post 19): Color-development sequence — lips redden on opening, then blacken with age.
- 2016-06-20 (post 32): Year-over-year stability confirmed — trait is genetic, not environmental.
- 2020 / 2021 / 2022: Continued documentation. Mike actively hoards divisions; ICPS distribution discussed.
Standout traits
- Black lips — extremely rare in S. jonesii.
- Lips redden then blacken — color trajectory.
- Genetically stable — not weather-dependent.
- High breeding potential especially when crossed with the black-veined flava lineage (Mike's 2015 framing).
Cultivation notes
Don't judge a fresh trap — color develops with age. Standard jonesii care; full sun.
Photos
See gallery below — 24 Mike-photos spanning 2015 through 2022.
Standout traits
- Solid black lip / mouth — extremely rare phenotype in S. jonesii
- Lips start reddish on opening and BLACKEN with age — Mike (post 19, 2015-08-14)
- Year-after-year stable trait — Mike (post 32, 2016-06-21): 'Thought perhaps the black lips was an environmental thing, but these keep producing the dark pigments year after year' — confirmed genetic
- Only 1-2 individuals in the entire 'RED' Greenville Co batch exhibit black lips
- Combination of a black lip + the underlying RED Greenville Co coloration produces a striking phenotype with strong breeding potential
- Possible parallel: Mike (post 9, 2015-07-09): 'I think I might have also found a black lipped rubra ancestral, but that's another story!'
Cultivation
- Trait shows as the trap ages. Don't expect black lips on a freshly-opened pitcher; the lips redden first, then blacken over time.
- Genetic, not environmental — Mike's 2016 update confirms the trait persists year over year.
- Standard jonesii care otherwise; full sun like the broader 'RED' Greenville Co accession.
Photos (24)
Naming
Mike's descriptive 'BLACK LIPS' label — references the unusual blackened pitcher mouth/lip on this individual. Mike (post 1, 2015-07-08): "I didn't believe my eyes when I saw this... this is exactly how the genetics of this plant played out with this clone: it's got BLACK LIPS!" Discovered after Jeff Dallas's (jdallas) speculations about red jonesii colors prompted Mike to closely re-inspect the broader Greenville Co batch.