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{{SPlantbox
| latin_name = ''Darlingtonia californica''
|familia=Sarraceniaceae
| common_names = California Pitcher plant, Cobra Lily, Cobra Plant
|genus=Darlingtonia
| growth_habit = ? <!--- tree, shrub, herbaceous, vine, etc -->
|species=californica
|common_name=California Pitcher plant, Cobra Lily, or Cobra Plant
|habit=herbaceous
|lifespan=perennial
|Temp Metric=°F
| lifespan = <!--- perennial, annual, etc -->
|image=Darlingtonia californica ne1.JPG
|image_width=240
| bloom = <!--- seasons which the plant blooms, if it is grown for its flowers -->
| image = Darlingtonia californica ne1.JPG
| image_width = 240px <!--- leave as 240px if horizontal orientation photo, or change to 180px if vertical -->
}}
}}
California Pitcher plant
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{{Inc|
Darlingtonia (after William Darlington, of West Chester, Pa., author of "Memorials of John Bartram and Humphrey Marshall," and of "Florula Cestrica.") Sarraceniaceae. A monotypic genus of American pitcher-plants which, apart from their striking aspect and beautiful coloring, have acquired celebrity from their insectivorous habits.
Darlingtonia (after William Darlington, of West Chester, Pa., author of "Memorials of John Bartram and Humphrey Marshall," and of "Florula Cestrica.") Sarraceniaceae. A monotypic genus of American pitcher-plants which, apart from their striking aspect and beautiful coloring, have acquired celebrity from their insectivorous habits.
==Cultivation==
==Cultivation==
The ''Darlingtonia californica'' can be one of the most difficult carnivorous plants to keep in cultivation, but this depends on the area in which they are cultivated. They prefer cool to warm day-time temperatures and cold or cool night-time temperatures. The problem is that cobra lilies typically grow in [[bog]]s or streambanks that are fed by cold mountain water, and grow best when the [[root]]s are kept cooler than the rest of the plant. It is best to mimic these conditions in cultivation, and water the plants with cold, [[purified water]]. On hot days, it helps to place ice cubes of [[purified water]] on the [[soil]] surface. They prefer sunny conditions if in a [[Humidity|humid]], warm location, and prefer part-shade if humidity is low or fluctuates often. Plants can adapt to low humidity conditions, but optimum growth occurs under reasonable humidity.
[[Image:Darlingtonia californica4.jpg|thumb|right|A single plant in cultivation, clearly showing the first pitcher of the season. The first few pitchers at the beginning of each growing season are much larger than the others]]
Growing cobra lilies from [[seed]] is extremely slow and cobra [[Germination|seedlings]] are difficult to maintain, so these plants are best propagated from the long [[stolon]]s they grow in late winter and spring. When a minute cobra plant is visible at the end of the stolon (usually in mid to late spring), the whole stolon may be cut into sections a few inches long, each with a few [[root]]s attached. Lay these upon cool, moist, shredded [[Sphagnum|long-fibered sphagnum moss]] and place in a humid location with bright light. In many weeks, cobra plants will protrude from each section of stolon.
Like many other carnivorous plants, cobra lilies require a cold winter [[dormancy]] in order to live long-term. Plants die down to their [[rhizome]]s in frigid winters and will maintain their leaves in cool winters during their dormancy period. This period lasts from 3 to 5 months during the year, and all growth stops. As spring approaches, [[Sexual maturity|mature]] plants may send up a single, nodding [[flower]], and a few weeks later the plant will send up a few large [[Pitcher plant|pitchers]]. The plant will continue to produce pitchers throughout the summer, however much smaller than the early spring pitchers.
Many carnivorous plant enthusiasts have succeeded in cultivating these plants, and have developed or discovered three color morphs: all green, all red, and red-green bicolor.
Wild-type plants are all green in moderate light and bicolor in intense sunlight.
===Propagation===
===Propagation===
==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery>
<gallery>
Darlingtonia californica ne8.JPG|Note the small entrance to the trap underneath the swollen 'balloon', and the colourless patches that confuse prey trapped inside
File:Darlingtonia californica ne8.JPG|Note the small entrance to the trap underneath the swollen 'balloon', and the colourless patches that confuse prey trapped inside
Darlingtonia californica02.jpg|Plants in cultivation
File:Darlingtonia californica02.jpg|Plants in cultivation
Darlingtonia californica.jpg|Northernmost natural population
File:Darlingtonia californica.jpg|Northernmost natural population
</gallery>
</gallery>
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