Chlorogalum pomeridianum var. divaricatum
Coastal soap plant
(c) Michael Warner, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Michael Warner · licence
Family: Agavaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Chlorogalum pomeridianum var. divaricatum (Coastal soap plant) is a native California herb in the Agavaceae family.
Coastal soap plant is a California native perennial found in southern North Coast and Central Coast bioregions on coastal bluffs and hills at elevations generally below 100 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces white flowers in delicate clusters on relatively prostrate inflorescences less than 40 centimeters tall. Growing from a distinctive bulb with many coarse, fibrous outer layers, it develops spreading branches emerging from the base of the plant. Its leaves emerge from the bulb in long, slender arrangements typical of its lily family relatives. The bulb's unique fibrous coating has traditionally been used by indigenous peoples for soap-making, reflecting the plant's common name.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; key differentiator is prostrate growth form and coastal habitat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal bluffs, hills
Elevation: generally < 100 m
California counties: San Francisco, San Mateo, Monterey, Marin, San Luis Obispo, Santa Cruz, Sonoma
Bloom period
Chlorogalum pomeridianum var. divaricatum blooms May-Jul.
How to tell it apart
vs Hooveria: Chlorogalum has branching flower clusters; Hooveria has unbranched racemes.; vs Toxicoscordion: Chlorogalum petals twist together after flowering; death camas petals remain separate.; vs Iris: Chlorogalum has small white flowers in branching clusters; iris has large showy flowers with three drooping petals.; vs Yucca: Chlorogalum has thin wavy-edged leaves and open branching clusters; yucca has stiff sword-leaves and dense clusters.; vs Asparagus: Chlorogalum has wavy-edged leaves from a bulb; asparagus has needle-like leaf scales on branching stems.
Frequently asked questions
Is Chlorogalum pomeridianum var. divaricatum native to California?
Yes. Chlorogalum pomeridianum var. divaricatum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Chlorogalum pomeridianum var. divaricatum bloom?
Chlorogalum pomeridianum var. divaricatum blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Chlorogalum pomeridianum var. divaricatum grow?
Chlorogalum pomeridianum var. divaricatum occurs in San Francisco, San Mateo, Monterey, Marin, San Luis Obispo, Santa Cruz, Sonoma, at elevations of generally < 100 m.
What plant family does Chlorogalum pomeridianum var. divaricatum belong to?
Chlorogalum pomeridianum var. divaricatum is in the Agavaceae family, genus Chlorogalum.
What habitat does Chlorogalum pomeridianum var. divaricatum grow in?
Chlorogalum pomeridianum var. divaricatum grows in Coastal bluffs, hills.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
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.