The California Pitcher Plant, or cobra lily, is one of North America's most unusual carnivorous plants, with cobra-hooded pitchers that trap insects. It grows only in cold, serpentine seeps and bogs in northern California and southern Oregon. The plant obtains nitrogen from digested insects rather than from the nutrient-poor soils it inhabits.
Best time to see a California Pitcher Plant
The best time to see a California Pitcher Plant is April–July, when about 66% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 4,932 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a California Pitcher Plant? What plant is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent California Pitcher Plant sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
Spotted a California Pitcher Plant?
Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal and know for sure - plus a live map of where it is being spotted near you.