Chlorogalum
(from chloros, green, and gala, milk; referring to their green juice). Soap-plant. ORD. Liliaceae. A genus of curious and distinct hardy bulbs, containing three species, all from California. For culture, see Ornithogalum. The only one in cultivation is C. pomeridianum. C. Leichtlini. See Camassia esculenta Leichtlini.
C. pomeridianum (afternoon).* fl. white, purplish-veined; stems panicled, branched. June. l. flaccid, glaucous, with the edges and nerves rough. h.2ft. California, 1819. SYNS. Anthericum pomeridianum (B. R. 564), Ornithogalum divaricatum (B. R. 1842, 28), and Phalangium pomeridianum. The bulbs are frequently used in California as a substitute for soap. The flowers only open after mid-day, hence the specific name.