Stargrass Hypoxis
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Rhodohypoxis
- Phonetic Spelling
- hy-POK-sis
- Description
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There are approximately 90 species in this genus, occurring nearly worldwide in the Hypoxidaceae family. The majority of the species occur in the southern hemisphere, with most in Africa. The scientific name is derived from the Greek words hypo, which translates to below and oxy, referring to the pointed fruit base.
The plants can grow from corms, tubers, or rhizomes and can reach heights of 3 to 12 inches, spreading to form clumps. They tend to prefer full sun to partial shade and appear in most types of well-drained soils. Propagation is by seed or division.
The yellow flowers consist of 6 yellow tepals that may have hairs, especially on the undersides and may be tinted in white, green or red on top or the undersides. The leaves vary per species and can be a cluster of lance-shaped, linear or thread-like leaves.
Some species could be used in a pollinator or rock garden or as a ground cover.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- H. baurii
Pink flowers
H. hirsuta
- H. baurii
- H. baurii, H. hirsuta
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- H. baurii
Pink flowers
H. hirsuta
- 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:
- Division
- 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
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 4 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
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-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Bulb
- Perennial
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- 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, 10a, 10b
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-
Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The oval capsule, called a pyxis, splits when dry to release several black, oily 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 with 6 sepals that may have hairs, especially on the undersides. Some species may have the top or undersides tinged in white, red or green.
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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:
- Clumps of leaves can be lance-shaped, linear or grass-like. Size varies per species
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Insignificant
- 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. Stems are often hairy.
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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
