description Cobra Lily Overview
Cobra lily (Darlingtonia californica) is a carnivorous pitcher plant native to Northern California and Oregon, notable for its hooded, cobra-shaped traps that confuse insects and prevent their escape.
help Cobra Lily FAQ
What makes the cobra lily a carnivorous plant?
The cobra lily, Darlingtonia californica, traps insects inside modified pitcher leaves. Its hooded, cobra-shaped structure confuses insects and makes escape difficult.
Where does the cobra lily grow naturally?
Darlingtonia californica is native to wet, cool habitats in Northern California and Oregon. It is associated with mountain seeps, bogs and cold running water rather than ordinary dry garden soil.
Why does the cobra lily look like a snake?
Its pitcher leaves curve upward and form a hood with two curved openings that resemble a cobra's head. This unusual shape gives the plant its common name.
Does the cobra lily eat insects like a Venus flytrap?
Yes, it gains nutrients by trapping and digesting insects, but it does not snap shut like a Venus flytrap. Its main mechanism is a slippery, enclosed pitcher that prevents prey from climbing out.
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