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wavyleaf soap plant

Scientific Name: Chlorogalum pomeridianum

Family: Liliaceae

Category: Monocot

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Chlorogalum pomeridianum: Wavyleaf Soap Plant

Chlorogalum pomeridianum, commonly known as the wavyleaf soap plant, California soaproot, or Amole, is a widespread and intriguing native plant of California and southwestern Oregon.

Common Names

  • Wavyleaf Soap Plant
  • California Soaproot
  • Amole
  • Soap Lily
  • Soap Plant
  • Soaproot
  • Dwarf Soaproot
  • Indian Soap Root

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Chlorogalum pomeridianum (DC.) Kunth
  • Family: Hyacinthaceae (formerly in Lily Family (Liliaceae)/Century Plant Family (Agavaceae))
  • Kingdom: Plantae
  • Taxonomic Rank: Species
  • Synonym: Loathoe pomeridiana
  • USDA Plants Database Code: CHPO3
  • Taxonomic Status: Accepted

Distribution and Habitat

  • Chlorogalum pomeridianum is found in southwestern Oregon and northwestern California to central California.
  • It thrives in dry, rocky hillsides, particularly in the coastal sage scrub plant community.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • The plant features basal leaves that are linear, ranging from 8 to 24 inches in length, with distinctive wavy edges.
  • It has an upright, slender stem with many branches.
  • The flowers are delicate, star-like, and white, growing in a large, openly branched cluster. Flowers open in the evening and last only one night.
  • The plant grows from unusual bulbs.

Considerations for Pets

  • The bulb of Chlorogalum pomeridianum contains saponins.

Considerations for Children

  • The bulb of Chlorogalum pomeridianum contains saponins.

Ecological Role

  • It is identified as an invasive plant in some contexts.

Traditional Uses

  • Native Americans traditionally crushed the plant's bulbs and added water to produce soap.
  • The Native Ohlone also used the Wavy-Leaf Soap Root plant for a variety of purposes.
  • Hairs on the large bulb were used to make brushes to winnow.

Quirky Facts

  • The plant's flowers bloom in the evening and last only one night, making them a fleeting beauty to observe.
  • The bulbs were a strange but welcome addition to boiled oxhide and bones.

Further Information

  • PLANTS Web site
  • Encyclopedia of Life
  • Discover Life
  • USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database