Native Plants

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Miller, Holmes O.

Darlingtonia californica

Darlingtonia californica Torr.

California Pitcherplant, Cobra Plant, California Pitcher Plant

Sarraceniaceae (Pitcher-plant Family)

Synonym(s): Chrysamphora californica

USDA Symbol: DACA5

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)

Several tubular leaves with hood-like tops grow in a cluster; 1 yellow-green and maroon flower hangs at the tip of a leafless stalk.

Insects, or other small organisms, attracted to the nectar secreted by the hood and appendages, enter the hole beneath the hood. Once inside, numerous down-pointing hairs discourage escape, and they are decomposed by microorganisms in the fluid in the tubular base. Nutrients thus released are absorbed by the Cobra Plant.

From the Image Gallery

16 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb , Subshrub
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Breeding System: Flowers Bisexual
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 3 feet tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Red , Yellow , Green
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug

Distribution

USA: CA , OR , WA
Canada: BC
Native Distribution: Most of western Oregon to northwestern California and the central Sierra Nevada.
Native Habitat: Coastal bogs and mountain streams and seeps.

Mr. Smarty Plants says

Plant identification, green and tube-like
September 18, 2008
LOOKING FOR NAME OF A GREEN TUBE-LIKE PLANT (SHAPED LIKE A CALLA LILY). THE VEINS ARE VISIBLE. MAYBE IN CLUSTER
view the full question and answer

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:			OBL							OBL

This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Darlingtonia californica in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Darlingtonia californica in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Darlingtonia californica

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-05-17
Research By: TWC Staff

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