How did a plant ever get named after a snake? The cobra plant, one of the pitcher plant family, is very unusual and is native to California. First let’s answer the question about its name. For one thing, its stems are actually curly leaves coming right out of the roots. They tightly overlap and twist around themselves to form a hollow tube about two feet high. At the very top they curl over, looking very similar to a fierce cobra snake. The plant also has what looks like a long, three-pronged tongue sticking out ready to catch a victim. So naming it after a cobra is understandable.
Each stalk has pretty red stripes, and the top part that curls over is a mixture of green, red and yellow. Stalks do not grow close together, but spread out from the roots in a circle, and each becomes a separate “cobra.” However, one stalk is different and grows a pretty flower that produces seeds that are blown by the wind or dropped by birds to start new plants.
The roots provide part of their food supply but most of it is supplied by insects. They are attracted by a sweet smell coming from rain water in the bottom of the tube that is sweetened by acids. The insects drown and are dissolved in the water.
The plant itself never grabs or closes up on these victims; they cannot get out. Once they have flown or crawled into the “mouth” of the plant, they find themselves trapped and they soon drop into the water. Even if they try to climb out they can’t. The sides are slippery and hairs on the inside of the tube, which flattened against the sides while the insect drops past them, are all pointing downward and will not let the insect go back up. Soon the insect becomes food for the plant.
While most of this plant’s food is a wide variety of crawling or flying victims, even small frogs are at times attracted to the sweet smell and manage to climb into the open “mouth.” They, like the insects, can’t resist going down for the sweet-smelling treat. They become hopelessly trapped too.
These unusual plants remind us of Satan who is the greatest of all deceivers. He wants to turn our thoughts away from God and the Lord Jesus and to convince us that Bible messages are not true. We do not actually hear Satan’s voice, but he uses people whom he has deceived to trick boys, girls and adults all over the world. How important it is to listen to what Jesus said in our opening Bible verse. Always remember that “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:11<<To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth.>> God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1). His love has provided a Saviour for all who put their trust in Him. Is He your Saviour?
MARCH 27, 1994
ML-03/27/1994