MrCrispyanswered grow question 3 years ago Purple is not really a phenotype. Purple is a light refraction property of an environmentally evolved molecule (a water-soluble flavonoid) that allows plants to regulate light like we use sunscreen.
Imagine a plant that is pure purple, like a black domina: it doesnt start out that color as a seedling. If I grow one domina in very low light, and one in very bright light, it can affect the 'color' purple. Now grow one in very acidic soils, the other in very basic soil: two different color ranges will be seen...like growing hydrangeas where you get pink or blue flowers. There is no 'pink phenotype' of a hydrangea. ;) Organic Chemistry is the ultimate playground for gardeners.