Yellow Star-grass Hypoxis hirsuta
Other 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 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.
- 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
- 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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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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
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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 from May to July. 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 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.
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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:
- 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.
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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.
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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
