SafePlants

No images found for this plant ID: 10140.

Ensure images are uploaded to the Media Library and tagged with "10140" in the "plant_image_tag" taxonomy.

Safe for Children?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Dogs?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Cats?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Reptiles?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

wavyleaf soap plant

Scientific Name: Chlorogalum pomeridianum var. minus

Family: Liliaceae

Category: Monocot

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Wavyleaf Soap Plant (Chlorogalum pomeridianum)

Chlorogalum pomeridianum, commonly known as the wavyleaf soap plant, California soaproot, or Amole, is a fascinating native wildflower with a rich history and unique properties.

Considerations for Pets and Children

  • The bulb contains saponins.

Nomenclature and Taxonomy

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

Common Names

  • Amole
  • California Soaproot
  • Dwarf Soaproot
  • Indian Soap Root
  • Soap Lily
  • Soap Plant
  • Soaproot
  • Wavyleaf Soap Plant
  • Wavy-Leaf Soap Root

Distribution and Habitat

  • The wavyleaf soap plant is the most common and widely distributed of the soap plants.
  • It occurs from southwestern Oregon and northwestern California to central California.
  • It grows wild in dry, rocky hillsides, such as those north and west of Palomar College.
  • It is found in an endangered plant community known as coastal sage scrub.

Ecological Role

  • The text refers to "Introduced, Invasive, and Noxious Plants," although it doesn't explicitly state that Chlorogalum pomeridianum is invasive. Further research is suggested to verify if this plant is considered invasive in some regions.

Morphological Characteristics

  • The stem is upright and slender, bearing many branches.
  • Basal leaves are linear, 8-24 inches long, with wavy edges.
  • It has delicate, star-like, white flowers in a large, freely and openly branched cluster. The flowers open in the evening and last only one night.
  • The plant grows from an unusual bulb.

Traditional Uses

  • Native Americans crushed the bulbs and added water to produce soap.
  • The Native Ohlone 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 bulb was a "strange but welcome addition to the boiled oxhide, bones, and..." presumably used as a cleansing agent.
  • The flowers only last one night.
  • The text notes a personal observation that fallen leaves look like wavyleaf soap plant leaves.

Further Information

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