Golden Stars, Common goldenstar
Bloomeria crocea

Family: Alliaceae

What it is like

Bloomeria crocea is a BULB growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.1 m (0ft 4in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in flower from May to June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 0.3

Where it is found

Dry flats, hillsides, often in heavy soil, chaparral, coastal sage scrub, valley grasslands, oak woodlands from sea level to 1700 metres.

South-western N. America - California.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Bulb. It can be eaten raw at any time of the year.

Root: includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating:

The bulbs can be rubbed on metate into an adhesive and spread on seed gathering baskets to close the interstices. No explanation is given of what metate is. There is a bamboo plant with this common name, but it is not native to America.

How it is grown

Requires a well-drained rich sandy loam and a warm position. Likes plenty of moisture when in growth, but plants should be kept quite dry from when the foliage dies down until the autumn. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c. This genus is closely related to Brodiaea and Nothoscordum species.

Propagating it: Seed - sow as soon as it is ripe or February/March in a well-drained compost in the greenhouse. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 3 months at 15°c. Sow the seed thinly so that it can be grown on in the pot without disturbance for the first year, but apply an occasional liquid feed to ensure the plants do not become nutrient deficient. Pot up the small bulbs when they are dormant, putting 2 - 3 bulbs in each pot, and grow them on in a cold frame for another 2 years before planting them out in the autumn when they are dormant. Division of flowering size offsets in the autumn. They are freely produced. The larger bulbs can be planted straight out into their permanent positions if required, whilst it is best to pot up the smaller bulbs and grow them on for a year in a cold frame before planting them out in the autumn.

Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;

Habit: Bulb

Hardiness: 7-10

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Nothoscordum aureum.