Darlingtonia californica
California pitcherplant
(c) Aaron Carlson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Sarraceniaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.2
Darlingtonia californica (California pitcherplant) is a native California subshrub in the Sarraceniaceae family, recognized by Monotypic genus endemic to California and southern Oregon, only carnivorous pitcher plant in western North America.
California pitcherplant is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Sierra Nevada Mountains, and Mendocino County in seeps and boggy serpentine areas at elevations of 60 to 2,200 meters. Flowering from April to June, this unique carnivorous plant produces yellow-green flowers with dark purple veins, 2 to 4 centimeters long, and occasionally showing variant forms without purple veining in Nevada County. Growing with rhizomes and elongated stolons up to one meter long, the plant develops distinctive green-yellow to deep red pitcher-like leaves that are nearly erect and enlarged toward the top. Its remarkable leaves feature a tube-like structure with non-digestive fluids and an opening underneath, creating an ingenious trap for insects. The plant produces obovoid fruits 2.5 to 4.5 centimeters long, containing tiny light red-brown seeds approximately 2 millimeters in size.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Monotypic genus endemic to California and southern Oregon, only carnivorous pitcher plant in western North America
Habitat and range
Habitat: Seeps, boggy places with running water, generally serpentine
Elevation: 60-2200 m
California counties: Plumas, Del Norte, Siskiyou, Trinity, Nevada, Shasta, Humboldt, Sierra, Butte, Placer, Mendocino
Outside California: western Oregon, planted elsewhere
Bloom period
Darlingtonia californica blooms Apr-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.2
How to tell it apart
vs Sarracenia: Darlingtonia has dome top with hanging fangs; Sarracenia has simple trumpet with hinged lid and no fangs.
Frequently asked questions
Is Darlingtonia californica native to California?
Yes. Darlingtonia californica is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Darlingtonia californica bloom?
Darlingtonia californica blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Darlingtonia californica grow?
Darlingtonia californica occurs in Plumas, Del Norte, Siskiyou, Trinity, Nevada, Shasta, Humboldt, Sierra and other counties, at elevations of 60-2200 m.
What plant family does Darlingtonia californica belong to?
Darlingtonia californica is in the Sarraceniaceae family, genus Darlingtonia.
Is Darlingtonia californica rare or endangered?
Darlingtonia californica carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.2, state rank S4.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.