Wavyleaf Soap Plant
Chlorogalum pomeridianum
- Native to:
- United States
iNaturalist: © burtosa (iNaturalist #163421748)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Asparagaceae
- Genus:
- Chlorogalum
- Species:
- Chlorogalum pomeridianum
- USDA Symbol:
- CHPO3
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 300 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- white
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Brown Elfin (Incisalia augustinus)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Yellow-faced bumble (Bombus vosnesenskii)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, moths
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Bulbs resprout vigorously after fire. Common in California grasslands and oak woodlands with periodic fire regimes.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rocky, well-drained sandy loam
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- thrives in open, sunny environments
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–60 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate best with cold stratification. Can also be propagated from bulb offsets.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Dry seeds for 2 weeks and then cold stratify in perlite for 2 months.
Establishment: Seeds are collected between July 11th and September 21st. Seed is black and rough textured, about 5 to 7 mm long at maturity. The plant is found on dry open hills below 5000 feet elevation; from southern Oregon to San Diego County, California.
Source: npn.rngr.net