Sarraceniaceae

Darlingtonia californica

California Pitcher Plant

Upright tubular leaves topped with large hood. Leaves yellow-green to reddish, with translucent patches, brown, green, or reddish dots, veins on hood, fading downward. At front of opening under hood are 2 large mustache-looking appendages. Insects are trapped inside by stiff downward-pointing hairs, drowned in fluids at bottom. Flower stalk above leaves with few yellow bracts. Flower hangs down, with 5 overlapping sepals, yellow-green, 1–2 1/2 in. long, surrounding 5 dark red petals. Grows in running water, on serpentine, at 100–7000 ft. It is thought appendages and opening bear nectaries to attract insects.

• Rarity: Rare
• Flowering Time: Late Spring, Early Summer
• Life Cycle: Perennial
• Height: 6--24 inches
• Habitat: Coastal, Bog/Fen/Wetland
• Found In: Siskiyous
• Native: Yes