Taxon Report

Hooveria purpurea (Brandegee) D.W. Taylor & D. J. Keil var. purpurea

Santa Lucia purple amole

Print Report


© 2006 Aaron Schusteff

Taxon Summary

Hooveria purpurea var. purpurea, commonly known as Santa Lucia purple amole, is a perennial bulbiferous herb in the Agavaceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Chaparral, Cismontane woodland, and Valley and foothill grassland, growing at elevations from 205 to 385 meters. Hooveria purpurea var. purpurea is ranked 1B.1, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Seriously threatened in California.

  Classification
Scientific Name:
 Hooveria purpurea (Brandegee) D.W. Taylor & D. J. Keil var. purpurea
Common Name:
 Santa Lucia purple amole
Family: Agavaceae
Element Code: PMLIL0G051
USDA Plants Symbol: CHPUP2
Synonyms/Other Names:
  • Chlorogalum purpureum Bdg. var. purpureum

Ecology and Life History
Lifeform: perennial bulbiferous herb
Blooming Period: Apr-Jun Apr-Jun
Elevation: 205-385 (675-1265)
General Habitats: Chaparral, Cismontane woodland, Valley and foothill grassland
Microhabitat: Clay, Gravelly
Microhabitat Details:

Conservation Status
CA Rare Plant Rank: 1B.1
Global Rank: G2T2
State Rank:
 S2
State List: None
Fed List: FT
Other Status: SB_SBBG
CRPR Changes:

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB
Total Occurrences: 17
Element Occurrence Ranks:
   Excellent (A) 1
   Good (B) 7
   Fair (C) 0
   Poor (D) 1
   None (X) 0
   Unknown (U) 8

Location
California Endemic:  True
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Monterey (MNT), San Luis Obispo (SLO)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Bradley (3512077), Burnett Peak (3512172), Cosio Knob (3612112), Jolon (3512182), Williams Hill (3512181)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB

Threat List Total: 11
EOs with Threat Listed: Total EOs % of EOs
15 88 %
Non-native plant impacts 13 76%
Feral pigs 9 52%
ORV activity 8 47%
Other 6 35%
Road/trail construction/maint. 6 35%
Military operations 6 35%
Development 3 17%
Erosion/runoff 3 17%
Foot traffic/trampling 3 17%
Grazing 2 11%
Improper burning regime 2 11%

Notes
Known only from Ft. Hunter Liggett and Camp Roberts.
Threats:
Threatened by habitat fragmentation, habitat conversion, non-native plants, foot traffic, vehicles, and military activities. Potentially threatened by grazing.
Taxonomy:

Selected References

Non-Substantive Name Changes: Multiple taxa in various plant families from the Jepson eFlora revisions 8, 9, and 10
Zoe 4:159 (1893)
Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 14 November 2025].