Hooveria parviflora
Small flowered soaproot
(c) Millie Basden, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Millie Basden · licence
Family: Agavaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Hooveria parviflora (Small flowered soaproot) is a native California herb in the Agavaceae family.
Small flowered soaproot is a California native perennial found in southern California coastal areas in dry, open coastal-sage scrub at elevations below 750 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces white to pale pink flowers with darker midveins, approximately 7 to 8 millimeters long. Growing with tall inflorescences 30 to 90 centimeters high, it develops ascending to erect branches with multiple flower buds at each node. Its leaves are relatively narrow, measuring 3 to 9 millimeters wide, emerging from a dark brown bulb approximately 4 to 7 centimeters in size. The plant produces small fruits 3 to 4 millimeters long, with delicate yellow anthers complementing its white flower clusters.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 0 sympatric species - geographically isolated in SCo bioregion with distinctive small white/pink flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dry, open coastal-sage scrub
Elevation: < 750 m
Outside California: northwest Baja California
Bloom period
Hooveria parviflora blooms May-Aug.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hooveria parviflora native to California?
Yes. Hooveria parviflora is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Hooveria parviflora bloom?
Hooveria parviflora blooms May-Aug.
What plant family does Hooveria parviflora belong to?
Hooveria parviflora is in the Agavaceae family, genus Hooveria.
What habitat does Hooveria parviflora grow in?
Hooveria parviflora grows in Dry, open coastal-sage scrub.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.