Darlingtonia californica aka California Pitcherplant

Taxonomy

Darlingtonia californica, also known as the California pitcher plant, cobra lily, or cobra plant, is a rare carnivorous plant in the family Sarraceniaceae. Its tubular leaves, ranging from yellow to purplish-green, resemble a rearing cobra, complete with a forked leaf that resembles fangs or a serpent's tongue. This species is found in bogs and seeps with cold running water, typically on serpentine soils in Northern California and Oregon. It was discovered in 1841 by botanist William D. Brackenridge at Mount Shasta and named after William Darlington, a Philadelphian botanist, by John Torrey in 1853. The California pitcher plant is the only member of the genus Darlingtonia. As a carnivorous plant, it attracts and digests insects for nutrients. The plant has delicate roots and can survive fire by regenerating from these roots. However, the roots are vulnerable to temperatures above 10°C, which can cause them to die back. Due to its rarity, the California pitcher plant is designated as uncommon. Despite this, it has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit for its cultivation in the UK.

Common names

California Pitcherplant, Cobra Lily, Cobraplant

How to care for California Pitcherplant

Difficulty

If you're looking for a plant that offers a moderate level of challenge, California Pitcherplant is a great choice to test your gardening skills.

Water

California Pitcherplant should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Lighting

To ensure optimal growth, the California Pitcherplant prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

Dormancy

During the cold period, it is common for California Pitcherplant to go dormant, resulting in a slowdown of growth. To accommodate this, waterings should be spaced out more.

Cat approves this plant

Toxicity

California Pitcherplant is not known to cause harm to humans or pets.


More info:
Wikipedia