Chlorogalum pomeridianum Soap lily (Hyacinthaceae)

Browse Plants Articles

Power Search!

Browse Botanic Names

Sponsored By KhorWills

Chlorogalum pomeridianum
Soap lily
(1 Page of 5)

The Chlorogalum pomeridianum plant species is found in Southwestern N. America - California. It is a member of the Hyacinthaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Soap lily. Some home gardeners know the variety as Loathoe pomeridiana.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Chlorogalum pomeridianum
Common Name:  Soap lily
Family:  Hyacinthaceae
Author:  (DC.)Kunth.

Known Hazards:  The bulb contains saponins. Although fairly toxic, these substances are very poorly absorbed by the body and most of them simply pass straight through. Saponins are found in a number of common foods, including many beans. They are destroyed by thorough cooking[K]. Saponins are much more toxic to some creatures, such as fish, and hunting tribes have traditionally put large quantities of them in streams, lakes etc in order to stupefy or kill the fish[K].

Mature Height:  2   Mature Width:  0.3

Habitat:  Dry open hills and plains, occasionally in woods, below 1500 metres[71].

Edible Uses: Bulb - cooked[2, 71, 94, 105]. A slow baking in its skin will remove any soapiness in the taste[92]. The bulb should be peeled before being eaten since the skin is fibrous[183]. The bulb can also be peeled and then boiled, though the water it is cooked in should be thrown away[94]. Although wholesome and nutritious when thoroughly cooked, the raw bulb should not be eaten because it contains saponins[K]. The bulb is very large and can be up to 15cm in diameter[200]. Young leaves - raw or cooked[105]. Used as a potherb when harvested in the spring, they are very sweet when slowly baked[92, 183, 257].

For further Chlorogalum pomeridianum gardening information
click on one of the blue links below

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
View their bibliography
Useful Edible Plants Future