Chlorogalum is a genus of 5 species mostly from California but extending into Oregon and Mexico. Formerly considered to be part of the Liliaceae family, Dahlgren placed this genus in the Hyacinthaceae family, but dna now suggests they be assigned to the Agavaceae family. They have fibrous-coated bulbs that produce long, basal leaves with tall loosely branched stems with starry flowers.
Chlorogalum pomeridianum is a bulb found on grassy road banks, open meadows, and slopes in southern Oregon and California. It has basal rosettes of attractive wavy margined leaves that appear late winter and widely branched panicles of fragrant flowers that bloom in summer. The flowers open late afternoon, are pollinated by night insects, and fade by morning. Flowers appear over a long period. The plants has a brief dormancy in fall. This one is an easy garden plant that can be grown from seed. Photos by Bob Rutemoeller showing the leaves and a close-ups of the small flowers and a number blooming late afternoon.
Here is a photo of a one growing in habitat in Southern California. The blooms were blasted for some reason but still a great looking plant. Photo by John Ingram
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