Carnivorous plant encyclopedia - Chapter 3: plants for the expert: Darlingtonia (Cobra lily) - the enigmatic snake

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Darlingtonia (Cobra lily):

Habitat:
The Darlingtonia californica, sole member of the Darlingtonia genus, is a protocarnivorous plant which inhabits cold-water swamps and seeps in California and Oregon, US. What makes this plant particularly unique is its spiralling shape that ends with an upside down v-shaped leaf at the trap's entrance, hence resembling a dangerous cobra darting out its tongue. The Darlingtonia is closely related with the Sarracenia, the main difference being that, enabled by its concave shape at the top, the Darlingtonia isn't subjected to rainwater influx into the tube. Instead, the Darlingtonia is capable of filling its pitcher with water by means of absorbing it from its roots. One enigma around the Darlingtonia that hasn't yet been solved is how pollination is taking place, because as of yet no pollination has been witnessed in action. Rumors have it that nocturnal insects might be responsible for pollination, owing to the fact that thus far no according studies have been conducted.

Cultivation:
Exports of the Darlingtonia are relatively new, which means that not such a long time ago it was virtually impossible to buy one in garden centers. Yet even now they are very hard to get and quite expensive. Due to its exacting needs, cultivating the Darlingtonia in an indoor terrarium can be a Sisyphean task, particularly in summer, because while the Darlingtonia craves the sunlight it prefers cool soil, otherwise their sensitive roots, which don't forgive cultivation mistakes, will rapidly decay due to overheat. This is the trickiest part. Adding peat moss to the sphagnum is most recommended to cool down the soil temperature. From here on, cultivation measures are very synchronistic with the Heliamphora or the Cephalotus: warm day temperatures of ~25°C opposed to cool night temperatures of ~15°C, at least 60% humidity, and a generous winter rest period of approximately 3-4 months where the plant is not exposed to temperatures higher than 10°C at max, otherwise the plant will suffer from growth distress. Replicating the climate conditions in their natural habitat can be achieved best in an outdoor mini swamp, especially because cool temperatures in the root area can be provided for best. Here, the Darlingtonia can overwinter quite well without being affected. Only in the event of severe frosts (~-10°C) some protection is necessary.

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Trap mechanism:

Given the fact that the Cobra lily appears quite complex in its shape, one might believe that its trap is particularly productive, but in actuality it is less productive than most carnivorous plant traps. Not only because as a protocarnivorous plant the Darlingtonia relies on bacteria to decompose prey, but also because lesser quantities of insects stray into the more hidden trap entrance. Nonetheless, insectivorous visitors stop by often enough to explore this interesting plant; attracted by nectaries secreted on the lid and the "tongue", they are lured into the trap, while especially the tongue is supposed to "help" crawling as well as flying insects to get a more fast-track access into the trap. Similar to the Cephalotus, the trap's "cap" is interspersed with chlorophyll-free spots that allow sunlight to pass through effortlessy. In this way, the insects are cajoled into believing they have found the exit only to richochet back into the trap. At some point the prey is so tired from trying that with every attempt it will fall deeper into the tube until it ends up in the digestive section where the plant will extract the prey's nutrients to supply the low-nutrient soil with the vital nitrogen required for its growth.

Much Love and Light,

Alex

Literature Inspiration: Kosmos Garten: Fleischfressende Pflanzen