Darlingtonia californica
California pitcher plant
ALAN SCHMIERER · CC0
About
Known commonly as the cobra lily, *Darlingtonia californica* is notable for its striking pitchers, which feature a distinctive, forked, yellow-to-purplish-green 'tongue' resembling a cobra's fangs. This species is highly adapted to nutrient-poor, often serpentine, soils and is a challenging but rewarding plant for collectors.
Field notes
Morphology
The pitchers are characterized by a distinctive, forked, yellow-to-purplish-green 'tongue' that resembles a cobra's fangs. The plant also has a complex flower, which is yellowish purple and features five green sepals longer than the red-veined petals.
Distribution & habitat
Native to Northern California and Oregon in the western United States, where it can be found near bogs, vernal pools, on forested rocky slopes, creeks, or near seeps with cold running water, often on serpentine soils.
Ecology
The species supplements nitrogen through carnivory, secreting proteolytic enzymes to digest captured prey. The pitchers have slippery walls and hairs, and the curled operculum (hood) hides the exit hole, trapping insects that attempt to escape via multiple translucent false exits.
Cultivation notes
The plant requires specific environmental conditions and tends to thrive in areas where cold subsurface water slowly flows underground around its roots. It can suffer from root rot if grown in stagnant, standing water.
History & etymology
The plant was discovered during the Wilkes Expedition of 1841 by botanist William D. Brackenridge at Mount Shasta, Northern California. It was formally described in 1853 by John Torrey, who named the genus *Darlingtonia* after William Darlington.
Habitat
- Altitude
- 0–2,600 m
- Altitude Class
- intermediate
- Native To
- United States
Cultivation
- Difficulty
- intermediate
- Temperature
- Summer 18–26°C / Winter 0–8°C
- Humidity
- 50–80%
- Notes
- Requires cool roots (cold mountain water) and cool nights. Pacific Northwest serpentine seeps.
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