Cobra lily, an exotic carnivorous plant

Few plants are as strange as the cobra lily, a unique species with a singular appearance reminiscent of a cobra snake. It belongs to the group of carnivorous plants and it stands out for a very particular morphology that it is possible to appreciate just by looking at it.

Native to northern California and the Oregon coast, in the United States, this plant grows naturally in streams, ponds and in warm areas. Its scientific name is darlingtonia californica and in addition to being known as Lirio cobra in some places it is called California wineskin plant.

Generalities

If you want to have a cobra lily, you should know that it is a slow growing plant, to which you have to be patient. The tubular, curved leaves are shaped like a snake's tongue, and the flowers are large and reddish-brown.

This carnivorous plant It feeds on flies and wasps, although when they are mature they also eat larger insects. The process is simple because when the creatures are trapped in the liquid of the plants, bacteria and microorganisms decompose it for the subsequent absorption of the nutrients. Despite this natural process, specialists recommend fertilizing the land.

The importance of temperature and humidity

It is likely that you have never seen a cobra lily up close as it is a very particular and exotic plant, not only for its appearance but also for its intrinsic characteristics. Unlike other plants, it does not regulate the water from its roots, either by pumping it in or expelling it out according to its needs.

These roots are sensitive to heat and that is why the plant needs to grow in not very warm soil, which does not exceed 20 degrees Celsius. Irrigation also helps the conditions of the plant and that is why it must be done with very cold water. This is especially important during the summer, when it helps a lot to keep the roots always fresh. It can also help the plant if the soil has a base of peat and arnea.

Keeping the plant at a mild temperature is vital for its proper development, even at the time of sowing it is necessary to keep the seeds in the refrigerator for the previous four weeks. The ideal is to have the plant outside and in a partially shaded place to avoid excess heat. The cobra lily withstands frosts and also low temperatures at night.