Hooveria parviflora

Hooveria parviflora 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. It resembles a smaller version of Chlorogalum pomeridianum, with wavy leaves and white flowers that open during the day.

Hooveria parviflora

Apparently Secure  (NatureServe)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Asparagaceae
Subfamily: Agavoideae
Genus: Hooveria
Species:
H. parviflora
Binomial name
Hooveria parviflora
(S.Wats.) D.W. Taylor & D.J. Keil
Synonyms[2]
  • Chlorogalum parviflorum S. Wats.
  • Laothoe parviflora (S.Watson) Greene

Description
Vegetative rosette.

Hooveria parviflora is a perennial wildflower, growing from a bulb 4 to 7 cm (1.6 to 2.8 in) wide. The bulb is covered in a dark brown, membranous coat. The leaves emerge from the top of the bulb, and are long and narrow, with wavy margins, 3 to 9 mm (0.12 to 0.35 in) wide.[3][4]

The inflorescence is 30 to 90 cm (12 to 35 in) tall, with ascending to erect branches. There are several flowers or buds per node. The pedicels, which suspend the flowers, are 2 to 8 mm (0.079 to 0.315 in) long. On the flower, the perianth parts spread from above the base, and are colored a white to pink, with a darker midvein. The perianth is 7 to 8 mm (0.28 to 0.31 in) in length, and the stamens are 3 to 4 mm (0.12 to 0.16 in) long. Atop the stamens are yellow anthers. The style is 7 to 9 mm (0.28 to 0.35 in) long. The fruits are 3 to 4 mm (0.12 to 0.16 in) large, with 1 to 2 black, ovoid seeds per chamber.[3][4]

The flower opens in the morning, and is closed by the evening, only being open for a single day.[3]

Taxonomy

This species was described as Chlorogalum parviflorum by Sereno Watson. Phylogenetic research placed this species in a new taxa, Hooveria, separating it from Chlorogalum.[5]

Distribution and habitat

This species is native to California and Baja California. In California, it is primarily found on the coast of far Southern California, and is particularly common around San Diego. In Baja California, the plant is uncommon, and is only found in the extreme northwest of the state.[6]

References
  1. "Chlorogalum parviflorum". NatureServe Explorer. NatureServe. 1990. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
  2. "Hooveria parviflora". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
  3. Keil, David J. (2020). "Hooveria". Jepson eFlora. Jepson Flora Project. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  4. Keil, David J. (2020). "Hooveria parviflora". Jepson eFlora. Jepson Flora Project. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  5. Taylor, D.W. and D.J. Keil. 2018. Hooveria, a new genus liberated from Chlorogalum (Agavaceae subf. Chlorogaloideae). Phytoneuron 2018-67: 1–6. Published 1 October 2018. ISSN 2153-733X
  6. Rebman, J. P.; Gibson, J.; Rich, K. (2016). "Annotated checklist of the vascular plants of Baja California, Mexico" (PDF). San Diego Society of Natural History. 45: 272.
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