Chlorogalum

Chlorogalum
Soap plant, Amole
Chlorogalum pomeridianum
Wavy-leafed soap plant
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Asparagaceae
Subfamily: Agavoideae
Genus: Chlorogalum
(Lindl.) Kunth
Synonyms[1][2]
  • Laothoe Raf.
  • Ornithogalum section Chlorogalum Lindl.[3]

The common names soap plant, soaproot and amole refer to the genus Chlorogalum. They are native to western North America, with some species in Oregon but they are mostly found in California. Common names of the genus and several species derive from their use as soap.

Soap plants are perennial plants, with more or less elongated bulbs, depending on the species. The bulbs can be white or brown, and in most species have a fibrous coat. The flowers are borne on a long central stem, and appear to have six separate petals (not all are petals in the technical sense). There are six stamens, which are prominent in most species.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference WCSP was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Kunth, Karl Sigismund 1843. Enumeratio Plantarum Omnium Hucusque Cognitarum 4: 681-683 in Latin
  3. ^ Lindley, John 1841. Edwards's Botanical Register n. ser. 4: 54