California Pitcher Plant (Darlingtonia californica)

Wild Macro | Natural History Fine Art Photography by Timothy Boomer

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The California pitcher plant (Darlingtonia californica) is a carnivorous plant that is endemic to California and Oregon. This rare botanical wonder typically grows in nutrient-poor habitats and supplements its diet through the ingestion of insects. Vibrant red nectar veins attract these ill-fated arthropods and lead them into a hidden opening in the underside of the uniquely shaped tubular leaf. The upper surface of the California pitcher plant has many translucent patches, which fill the interior with light and lull insects into a false sense of safety. Once inside, visitors become confused by the numerous false exits and eventually succumb to the ingenious design of the trap. Slickly lubricated interior walls and downward-oriented hairs force prey into a digestive enzyme liquid at the base of the pitcher. This perennial herb is commonly referred to as the cobra lily, due to its resemblance to the iconic hooded snake. That name is misleading, however, as this member of the family Sarraceniaceae is not closely related to lilies.

California pitcher plant (Darlingtonia californica), new leaf with vibrant red nectar veins. Focus-stacked composite of 74 exposures at lifesize magnification. Butterfly Valley Botanical Area, Plumas National Forest, Sierra Nevada, Plumas County, California, USA.
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California pitcher plant (Darlingtonia californica), individual wildflower in bloom. Focus-stacked composite. Butterfly Valley Botanical Area, Plumas National Forest, Sierra Nevada, Plumas County, California, USA.
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California pitcher plant (Darlingtonia californica), profile view under beautifully diffused lighting. Butterfly Valley Botanical Area, Plumas National Forest, Sierra Nevada, Plumas County, California, USA.
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California pitcher plant (Darlingtonia californica), low-angle view clearly showing the entrance into the plant. From this vantage point, we can look up through the opening and see the translucent "false exits," which confuse insects until they eventually tire and succumb to the trap. Butterfly Valley Botanical Area, Plumas National Forest, Sierra Nevada, Plumas County, California, USA.
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California pitcher plant (Darlingtonia californica), low-angle portrait view clearly showing the entrance into the plant. Butterfly Valley Botanical Area, Plumas National Forest, Sierra Nevada, Plumas County, California, USA.
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California pitcher plant (Darlingtonia californica). Butterfly Valley Botanical Area, Plumas National Forest, Plumas County, CA. Stock Photo ID=PLA0378
California pitcher plants (Darlingtonia californica), first of the season. The remains of some of last year's plants can be seen in the background. Butterfly Valley Botanical Area, Plumas National Forest, Sierra Nevada, Plumas County, California, USA.
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California pitcher plant (Darlingtonia californica), close-up of a single flower in bloom. Scientists have not yet identified its pollinator. Butterfly Valley Botanical Area, Plumas National Forest, Sierra Nevada, Plumas County, California, USA.
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California pitcher plant (Darlingtonia californica), highly detailed close up of the top of the plant, revealing its translucent "skylights," which act as false exits and confuse insects until they eventually tire and succumb to the trap. Butterfly Valley Botanical Area, Plumas National Forest, Sierra Nevada, Plumas County, California, USA.
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California pitcher plant (Darlingtonia californica), close-up of the unique forked leaf, which has vibrant red nectar veins to help attract insects and lure them inside of the plant. Butterfly Valley Botanical Area, Plumas National Forest, Sierra Nevada, Plumas County, California, USA.
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California pitcher plant (Darlingtonia californica), one of the first of the season and still not fully developed. Butterfly Valley Botanical Area, Plumas National Forest, Sierra Nevada, Plumas County, California, USA.
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California pitcher plant (Darlingtonia californica), close-up of flowers in bloom. Butterfly Valley Botanical Area, Plumas National Forest, Sierra Nevada, Plumas County, California, USA.
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California pitcher plant (Darlingtonia californica), close-up of flowers in bloom. Butterfly Valley Botanical Area, Plumas National Forest, Sierra Nevada, Plumas County, California, USA.
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California pitcher plant (Darlingtonia californica), low-angle perspective showing the entrance into the trap of a young plant. Butterfly Valley Botanical Area, Plumas National Forest, Sierra Nevada, Plumas County, California, USA.
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Next Plant: California plantain (Plantago erecta)

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