Cobra lily (Darlingtonia californica) is a carnivorous plant in the family Sarraceniaceae, native to northern California and Oregon. It is the only species of the genus Darlingtonia, which is named in honor of the Philadelphian botanist William Darlington (1782 - 1863) . Cobra lily is also known as Cobra plant or California Pitcher plant, and is usually found growing in bogs and beside mountain streams where it stays relatively cool and constantly has cool water running over the root system. The common name derives from the hood that looks like a cobra with its expanded head and a forked tongue.
Cobra lily, 15-60 cm tall, has evergreen leaves, but when grown in full sun, the leaves will have a red coloration. The pitfall trap is a twisted, upright tube with downward-pointing hairs. The opening or mouth of the trap, which is underneath the hood, has nectar glands to lure preys to the opening. Cobra lily does not trap rainwater in its pitcher. The pitcher secretes at least one proteolytic enzyme that digests captured prey. The cells that absorb nutrients from the inside of the trap are the same as those on the roots that absorb nutrients from the soil.
Once falling into the trap, the prey will try to escape through the many false exits under the hood or dome. However, the prey will usually tire and fall into the trap. The slippery walls and the hairs along the inside of the tube also prevent the trapped prey from escaping. The efficiency of cobra lily's trapping ability is attested by its pitcher and leaves, which are usually full of preys and their remains. The use of lubricating secretions, downward-pointing hairs, the carefully concealed tiny exit hole, and the offering of the multiple translucent false exits make the cobra lily one of the most efficient pitcher plants.
The flowers of cobra lily point downwards, to prevent water from damaging the flowers. The sepal are large and yellow-green. The petals are almost hidden and they are dark purple in color.
Cobra lily grows well in bright light but not direct sunlight. It is important to keep the root system cool by watering it often. Ideally, cobra lily should be grown in living sphagnum moss, but it can also be grown in peat moss. As the plant mature, it will produce side shoots and form a large clump, so eventually one will need to find a large container to use.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Darlingtonia_californica_ne1.JPG
Noah Elhardt
