Soaproot

Chlorogalum pomeridianum

Soaproot is a California native plant that grows on dry, rocky hillsides, chaparral and oak woodlands. It comes up from a large bulb and forms a rosette of long, wavy, grass-like leaves. In late spring and summer the plant produces tall stalks with delicate white flowers which open at night and close by morning [1].

The bulb contains a high concentration of saponins, natural compounds that produce foam when shaken in water [2]. Native Californians traditionally used crushed bulbs as a shampoo for hair and skin and for cleaning tools. The fibrous outer layers were stripped from the bulb and bundled together into brushes for sweeping up acorn meal and cleaning baskets. The bulb could also be roasted and made edible (carefully, as the raw bulb is toxic) [3].

Soaproot also had medicinal and ceremonial uses. It was used as a topical wash for skin irritations and infections and the foam has natural antimicrobial properties [3][4]. Some groups used the plant as a fish-stunner, utilizing the saponins to slow fish in shallow pools, though the practice was done sparingly [3].

Soaproot is today a symbol of sustainability and traditional ecological knowledge, linking California native plant life to a deep history of human craftsmanship, utility and respect for the earth.

[1] U.S. Forest Service. “Soap Plant – Chlorogalum pomeridianum.” https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/chlorogalum_pomeridianum.shtml

[2] Wayne’s Word. “Soap Lilies In California.” (Dec 1998) https://www.waynesword.net/pldec198.htm

[3] USDA NRCS Plant Guide. “Soaproot – Chlorogalum pomeridianum (D.C.) Kunth.” https://plants.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/plantguide/pdf/pg_chpo3.pdf

[4] Bay Nature Magazine. “The Many Uses of Spring-Blooming Soaproot.” January 13, 2014. https://baynature.org/article/versatile-bulb-many-uses-soaproot/