Description
Hypoxis – Starflower – Star Grass –
There are about 150 species of cormous perennials, in this genus. They are widespread in Africa, Southeastern Asia, Australia, and North, Central and South America. It produces linear to lance shaped, ribbed, 3-12″ long, light to mid green, basal leaves often covered with hairs. From spring to summer it bears usually yellow star shaped flowers, ½-1 ½” diameter held singly or in loose clusteers atop of wiry stems. Grow in a rock garden.
Plant corms 1 1/4″ deep when dormant, in humus rich, moist but well drained soil in full sun with some midday shade, or in dapple shade. Protect from excessive winter and summer, moisture, and shelter from cold, drying winds. Starflowers resent transplanting once established.
Prone to rust and leaf spots.
H. nitida – This cormous perennial from South Africa grows 4-8″ tall. It produces upright, narrowly linear, shiny, mid green, basal leaves, 7-9″ long, with fine white hairs on the edges and midribs. In spring it bears racemes of up to 12 yellow, green backed flowers, 1 1/4-2″ across.
Zones 7-9
