Chlorogalum pomeridianum var. minus

Dwarf soaproot

Family: Agavaceae · Type: perennial · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2

Dwarf soaproot is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in the northern Coast Ranges, San Francisco Bay Area, and southern Coast Ranges, growing on serpentine outcrops in chaparral at elevations generally below 750 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces white flowers with delicate, open clusters on tall, ascending inflorescences reaching 30 to 170 centimeters. Growing from a distinctive bulb with a membranous or sparsely fibrous outer coat, it emerges with slender, erect stems that branch gracefully. Its leaves are long and narrow, emerging from the bulb in a rosette-like arrangement typical of soaproot species. The plant's bulb is covered in a thin, papery membrane that helps protect it during dormant periods.

Habitat: Serpentine outcrops in chaparral

Bloom period: May-Jun

Elevation: generally < 750 m

Bioregions: NCoRI, SnFrB, SCoRO.

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.