Hypoxis
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Rhodohypoxis
- Phonetic Spelling
- hy-POK-sis
- Description
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The scientific name is derived from the Greek words hypo, which translates to below and oxy, referring to the pointed fruit base. This herb overcomes harsh winter months in the form of a corm, which is hard and fleshy and forms an underground rootstock.
Worldwide, there are approximately 90 species of Hypoxis, with the majority of the species occurring in Africa.
In the fall through the winter months, it is leafless, while its corm remains underground. Springtime brings new leaves that grow from the top of the corm. Typically, the leaves are one above the other, forming three rows of outward spreading foliage. While most varieties boast hairy foliage, some are almost hairless. The leaves can range from stiff and twisting to soft and drooping.
The flowing stems, which are unbranched, appear after the spring rains. Each stem can have 2 to 12 flowers. The varieties with smaller corms and soft leaves tend to grow quicker, allowing the plant to spread through a garden.
Space: 4 in. (10 cm)
Depth: Cover 1 in. (2.5 cm)
Organ: Corm
Hardiness: Tender III - Injured below 25 degrees F (2C)
Storage: Store corms dry at 35 degrees F (2C)
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- H. baurii
- H. baurii
- H. baurii, H. hirsuta
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- H. baurii
- H. baurii
- H. baurii, H. hirsuta
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Hypoxis
- Family:
- Hypoxidaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Used in the garden as a accent.
- Life Cycle:
- Bulb
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Tropical Africa, the Americas, southeast Asia and Australia
- Wildlife Value:
- Honey bees frequent this plant. Small rodents may eat the corms.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Buffer
- Colorful
- Easy to Grow
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Bulb
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The oval capsule, called a pyxis, will split when dry to release two or more black seeds.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Umbel
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The star shaped flowers are typically yellow, occasionally white.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Leaf Type:
- Sheath
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Narrow, green, strap-like basal leaves grow from the base of the plant.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Depending on the variety, the stems will end in an umbel of 2 to 12 flowers.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Slope/Bank
- Small Space
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Bees
