Chlorogalum pomeridianum var. minus
Dwarf soaproot
(c) Michael Warner, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Michael Warner · licence
Family: Agavaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Chlorogalum pomeridianum var. minus (Dwarf soaproot) is a native California herb in the Agavaceae family.
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.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; key differentiators are serpentine habitat and bulb coat characteristics
Habitat and range
Habitat: Serpentine outcrops in chaparral
Elevation: generally < 750 m
Bloom period
Chlorogalum pomeridianum var. minus blooms May-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
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. minus native to California?
Yes. Chlorogalum pomeridianum var. minus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Chlorogalum pomeridianum var. minus bloom?
Chlorogalum pomeridianum var. minus blooms May-Jun.
What plant family does Chlorogalum pomeridianum var. minus belong to?
Chlorogalum pomeridianum var. minus is in the Agavaceae family, genus Chlorogalum.
Is Chlorogalum pomeridianum var. minus rare or endangered?
Chlorogalum pomeridianum var. minus carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S3.
What habitat does Chlorogalum pomeridianum var. minus grow in?
Chlorogalum pomeridianum var. minus grows in Serpentine outcrops in chaparral.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Chlorogalum pomeridianum var. pomeridianum — Common soap plant
- Chlorogalum sp. — Soap plant
- Chlorogalum angustifolium — Narrow-leaved soap plant
- Chlorogalum grandiflorum — Red hills soaproot
- Chlorogalum pomeridianum — Amole
- Chlorogalum pomeridianum var. divaricatum — Coastal soap plant
- Hastingsia alba — Reed lily
- Hastingsia serpentinicola — Klamath rushlily
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.