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Common Stargrass Hypoxis hirsuta

Previously known as:

  • Hypoxis decumbens
  • Ornithogalum hirsutum
Phonetic Spelling
hy-POK-sis her-SOO-tuh
Description

Common Goldstar is a low, tufted, grass-like plant that grows from a hard corm.  The corm is hard and hairy.  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.  

Its close resemblance to grass is only distinguishable when the plant is in bloom.  Flowers appear on stems that are shorter than the leaves.  

Carpenter bees, Mason bees, and Halictid bees are attracted to the blooms.  Some flies and beetles feed on the pollen.  Small rodents may eat the corms.  

Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems:  The seeds are tiny, which makes them difficult to collect.  Spreading into lawns can be an issue.  

More information on Hypoxis.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#yellow flowers#spring flowers#moist soil#NC native#self-seeding#grass-like#pollinator plant#native wildflower#naturalized area#food source summer#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source nectar#food source pollen#Piedmont Mountains FAC#Coastal FACW#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#Audubon#colonizing#butterfly garden#wildflower#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#yellow flowers#spring flowers#moist soil#NC native#self-seeding#grass-like#pollinator plant#native wildflower#naturalized area#food source summer#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source nectar#food source pollen#Piedmont Mountains FAC#Coastal FACW#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#Audubon#colonizing#butterfly garden#wildflower#woodland
  • 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
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts bees, butterflies, flies, beetles, and other pollinators.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Fragrance
    Wildlife Food Source
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 3 in. - 0 ft. 7 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 3 in. - 0 ft. 8 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
    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
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Rounded capsules display from May to July. Glossy, black seeds are emitted when the capsules open. The seeds are covered with rows of projections that resemble warts.
  • 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 3/4" flowers bloom with six, pointed petals. Bloom from March to June. The center contains a yellow pistil surrounded by 6 stamens with yellow anthers.
  • 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:
    12" tall hairy, 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    The 8" stems can be erect or reclining. Each stem will end in a loose umbel of 1 or 2 flowers.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Slope/Bank
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Pollinators