Chlorogalum pomeridianum

Pomeridianum? means ?in the afternoon?, when these loose clusters of starry, white flowers open on their 2-6' stalks. Now a bedtime treat! for bees, this native bulb was used for: brushes, soap, poultice, glue and food! S/M/GDr

Soap plant is a bulb that grows 2' tall by 2' wide. It is a superb plant for evening flowers since the flowers only open late in the day or when it is very overcast. For a dramatic effect, plant in a meadow garden where it will go dormant during summer and fall. This easy to grow bulb has 2' tall spikes of small white flowers that bloom from May-August. Bulbs were an important food source for Native Americans and may be eaten when roasted. Native to California and is also found outside of California, but is confined to western North America. The plant and roots are eaten by many small mammals, including ground squirrels and rabbits. The flowers provide summertime food for a variety of insects. Soap plant was traditionally used by many California Native American tribes and early settlers. The bulb can be boiled and then eaten like a potato and was also crushed and used as soap for clothes and bathing. Found in grassy road banks, open meadows, and slopes. Communitites located in Valley Grassland, Coastal Sage Scrub, Northern Coastal Scrub, Foothill Woodland, Closed-cone Pine Forest, Mixed Evergreen Forest, Chaparral Between 0 and 5000 feet .

Soap Plant makes an lovely (& useful!) addition to garden beds, dry gardens, rock gardens & meadows. Found throughout California on dry, open hills, the native bulb forms a 1” wide rosette of attractive, wavy margined gray-green leaves. In late Spring, widely branched panicles of very fragrant, delicate looking white flowers appear, giving a graceful air to the garden. The blooms are pollinated by moths, so are extra fragrant in the evening. EASY & poor soil tolerant. Native Californians used the raw bulbs for soap & roasted them for food. The fibers around the bulb can also be pulled off & bound to make a brush to use while soaping up the dishes! Supper, soap & scrubber all in one! Deciduous in Fall.