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Brundage, Stephanie

Hypoxis hirsuta

Hypoxis hirsuta (L.) Coville

Common Goldstar, Yellow Star-grass, Eastern Yellow Star-grass

Liliaceae (Lily Family)

Synonym(s): Hypoxis decumbens, Ornithogalum hirsutum

USDA Symbol: HYHI2

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)

A low, tufted, grass-like perennial, eastern yellow star-grass grows 3-10 in. tall from a hard, hairy corm. The hairy, grass-like leaves originate from the base of the plant. Slender, thread-like flowering stems may be erect or reclining. They carry 3/4 in., star-shaped, yellow flowers below the top of the leaves.

This small plant can easily be confused with a grass unless its distinctive flower is seen.

From the Image Gallery

28 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 10 inches tall.
Leaf: Green

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug

Distribution

USA: 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
Native Distribution: S. ME to FL, w. to Man., e. CO & e. TX
Native Habitat: Open woods; dry to damp prairies & meadows

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Rich, acid loam.

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Attracts bees and butterflies.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Propagation

Description: Easily propagated by division while the plant is dormant in spring or fall. Separate the corms that form around the parent plant. Seeds should be sown in fall, barely covered with soil.
Seed Collection: The tiny black seeds are elusive and difficult to collect.
Commercially Avail: yes

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:	FACW		FACW		FAC	FACW		FAC	FAC	FACW

This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Native Plant Center at Westchester Community College, The - Valhalla, NY
Pineywoods Native Plant Center - Nacogdoches, TX
Crosby Arboretum - Picayune, MS
Stengl Biological Research Station - Smithville, TX
Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE

Bibliography

Bibref 1294 - The Midwestern Native Garden: Native Alternatives to Nonnative Flowers and Plants An Illustrated Guide (2011) Adelman, Charlotte and Schwartz, Bernard L.
Bibref 328 - Wildflowers of Texas (2003) Ajilvsgi, Geyata.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Hypoxis hirsuta in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Hypoxis hirsuta in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Hypoxis hirsuta

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-02-14
Research By: TWC Staff

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