Chlorogalum parviflorum
Encyclopedia
Chlorogalum parviflorum is a species of perennial herb
known by the common name smallflower soap plant. It is a monocot, native to coastal southern California
and Baja California
, where it is a member of the coastal sage scrub
flora. This perennial wildflower grows from a dark-coated bulb
several centimeters wide. The basal leaves have wavy edges. The inflorescence
may reach 90 centimeters tall and is made up of many dark-veined white or pinkish flowers. Each flower has six tepal
s just under a centimeter long which are spread open for only one day. The six stamen
s are tipped with yellow anthers. The fruit is a capsule a few millimeters long.
Herb
Except in botanical usage, an herb is "any plant with leaves, seeds, or flowers used for flavoring, food, medicine, or perfume" or "a part of such a plant as used in cooking"...
known by the common name smallflower soap plant. It is a monocot, native to coastal southern California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
and Baja California
Baja California
Baja California officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Baja California is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is both the northernmost and westernmost state of Mexico. Before becoming a state in 1953, the area was known as the North...
, where it is a member of the coastal sage scrub
Coastal sage scrub
Coastal sage scrub is a low scrubland plant community found in the California chaparral and woodlands ecoregion of coastal California and northern Baja California. It is characterized by low-growing aromatic, and drought-deciduous shrubs adapted to the semi-arid Mediterranean climate of the...
flora. This perennial wildflower grows from a dark-coated bulb
Bulb
A bulb is a short stem with fleshy leaves or leaf bases. The leaves often function as food storage organs during dormancy.A bulb's leaf bases, known as scales, generally do not support leaves, but contain food reserves to enable the plant to survive adverse conditions. At the center of the bulb is...
several centimeters wide. The basal leaves have wavy edges. The inflorescence
Inflorescence
An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem that is composed of a main branch or a complicated arrangement of branches. Strictly, it is the part of the shoot of seed plants where flowers are formed and which is accordingly modified...
may reach 90 centimeters tall and is made up of many dark-veined white or pinkish flowers. Each flower has six tepal
Tepal
Tepals are elements of the perianth, or outer part of a flower, which include the petals or sepals. The term tepal is more often applied specifically when all segments of the perianth are of similar shape and color, or undifferentiated, which is called perigone...
s just under a centimeter long which are spread open for only one day. The six stamen
Stamen
The stamen is the pollen producing reproductive organ of a flower...
s are tipped with yellow anthers. The fruit is a capsule a few millimeters long.