Atropurpureus
/at-roh-pur-PYOO-ree-us/Also known as: atropurpurea, atropurpureum
A color epithet combining the Latin ater (dark, black) with purpureus (purple) to describe a color deeper and darker than standard purpureus — a rich, almost blackish-purple. It is one of the most dramatic of all color epithets and plants bearing it are typically among the darkest-colored in their genus. Appears as atropurpureus (masculine), atropurpurea (feminine), or atropurpureum (neuter).
Etymology
From Latin ater (dark, black, gloomy) + purpureus (purple), meaning "dark purple" or "blackish-purple."
Example
“Berberis thunbergii f. atropurpurea and Cotinus coggygria 'Atropurpureus' (smoke bush) both display the intensely deep, smoldering dark-purple foliage the epithet promises — among the richest dark tones in temperate horticulture.”