I have seen the cobra lily many times, but never had I been in view of the plant when the flower was in bloom.until now. The name 'Cobra Lily' stems from the resemblance of its tubular leaves to a rearing cobra, complete with a forked leaf - ranging from yellow to purplish-green - that resemble "fangs" or a serpent's "tongue." It grows in cold wet coastal bogs and wetlands. This plant is designated as uncommon due to its rarity in the field. Once inside, the insect becomes confused by the many transparent areas of the upper leaf surfaces, which appear to be exits.Īs the insect checks these false exits for an escape route, it is led down the tube structure and is unable to return to the top of the plant because of the slippery smooth surface of the inner tube and the sharp, downward pointing hairs which effectively block any chance of escape.Įventually, the insects will fall into a pool of liquid digestive enzyme in the base of the leaf where they are absorbed as food for the plant. This carnivorous plant lures it's insect prey with a sweet nectar which is inside the leaf opening under it's hood. The Cobra Lily is native to southwestern Oregon and northern California. The phrase 'touch-me-not' is in reference to the spoken words of the risen Christ to Mary Magdalene, in the Bible - Luke 20:17. The ripe fruits, when touched, suddenly burst open (hence impatiens, meaning 'impatient'). Children are most vulnerable because of their curiosity and small size. Sensitivity to a toxin varies with a person’s age, weight, physical condition, and individual susceptibility. Warning: Berries can be toxic to humans, especially children, if ingested. Originally the species name appears to have been nolime-tangere, meaning 'touch-me-not.' It grows in small pockets throughout the Cascade foothills and the Columbia Gorge, and prefers moist rocky soil and shade. The plants leaf looked similar to the stinging nettle, so I chose not to touch any part of the plant or flower. I had stopped along the roadside to photographed a pink flower, when out of the corner of my eye I saw something orange. This bizarre annual wildflower, native to North America, amazed me.