California Pitcherplant

Carried by 2 nurseries

Estimated plant range Estimated plant range

Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Plant description

Darlingtonia californica, also called the California Pitcher plant, Cobra Lily, or Cobra Plant, is a carnivorous plant, the sole member of the genus Darlingtonia in the family Sarraceniaceae. It is native to Northern California and Oregon, growing in bogs and seeps with cold running water. This plant is designated as uncommon due to its rarity in the field. The name Cobra Lily stems from the resemblance of its tubular leaves to a rearing cobra, complete with a forked leaf - ranging from yellow to purplish-green - that resemble fangs or a serpent's tongue.

Plant overview

Plant type

Perennial herb

Size

2 ft Tall

Landscaping information

Sun

Partial Shade

Ease of care

Moderate

Soil drainage

Standing

Sunset Zones

1, 2*, 3, 4*, 5*, 6, 7, 14, 15*, 16*, 17*

Natural setting

Site type

Seeps, boggy places with running water

Plant communities

Douglas-Fir Forest, Freshwater Marsh, Red Fir Forest, Forest, Yellow Pine Forest, Wetland-Riparian

Alternative names

Common names:

California Pitcher Plant

Sources

Visit About Us for general information about our data sources and terms of use.

Additional references for this page:

To learn more, visit the Jepson Herbarium's YouTube channel and watch a short video about this species: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAGZX2-KkbY