Hypoxis hirsuta
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Hypoxis decumbens
- Ornithogalum hirsutum
- Phonetic Spelling
- hy-POK-sis her-SOO-tuh
- Description
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Common goldstar is a low, tufted, grass-like plant in the star grass family (Hypoxidaceae) native to a large portion of the United States and Ontario, Canada. It is found growing in open woodlands, abandoned fields, lawns, prairies, and other open areas. Although not an aggressive plant, it can spread to form colonies.
The plant grows from a hairy corm with a rosette of leaves 3 to 10 inches tall and may be mistaken for a grass until it blooms. It will grow in full sun to partial shade in well-drained, moist to dry soils. Propagation is by division and seed.
Common goldstar has 1/2 to 1 inch across star-shaped yellow flowers in May to July that are often held below the level of the leaves on upright to decumbent stems. The flowers open in the morning but will close in the hot afternoon sun and pollinators are attracted to them. The leaves are sparsely hairy, up to 10 inches long and linear.
Common goldstar can be used in groups or the border front of a pollinator garden, but doesn't compete well with larger plants, so give it its own space.
Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems
- See this plant in the following landscape :
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Hypoxis
- Species:
- hirsuta
- Family:
- Hypoxidaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- A wildflower that will colonize.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- US native
- Distribution:
- AL, AR, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV: Canada: ON
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts bees, butterflies, flies, beetles, and other pollinators. Small rodents eat the corms.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Fragrance
- Wildlife Food Source
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 3 in. - 0 ft. 10 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 4 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Medium
- Texture:
- Fine
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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
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- 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:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Rounded capsules display in summer. Glossy, black seeds are emitted when the capsules open. The seeds are covered with rows of projections that resemble warts.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Umbel
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Long Bloom Season
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- A loose cluster of yellow one to three star-shaped flower buds. The 1/2 to 1 inch flowers bloom with six, pointed petals. Bloom from May to July. The center contains a yellow pistil surrounded by 6 stamens with yellow anthers.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves have hairs and are up to 10 inches long and 1/2 inch wide. The narrow grasslike leaves that originate from the base of the plant. The leaves are linear or linear-elliptic in shape and have scattered white hairs.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- The thin 8 inc stems can be erect or reclining and have hairs.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Slope/Bank
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Fairy Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
