Golden Weather-glass, Golden Star, Star Grass
Hypoxis hygrometrica
Family: Hypoxidaceae
What it is like
A lily-like plant. It grows 6-18 cm tall. The corms are 1-3 cm long by 0.6 cm wide. They are cylindrical and 1-3.5 cm below the soil surface. The leaves are tufted and grass like. The leaves are 6-18 cm long by 0.1-0.15 cm wide. They are dark green and folded. The flowers are 2 cm across and bright yellow. They occur singly on the stems. The stems are 2-20 cm long. The fruit is a capsule 0.3-0.7 cm long. The seeds are dark brown.
Possibly also Hypoxis glabella and Hypoxis vaginata. See Gilfedder, L et al, 2003, The Nature of the Midlands. Midlands Bushweb. PO Box 156 Longford, Tasmania. p 89 There are about 100-150 Hypoxis species. There are 5-10 species in tropical America.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It grows in moist grassy situations. They can tolerate moderately heavy frosts. It is often on shallow soils. It is difficult to establish and is best left undisturbed. Tasmanian Herbarium.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia (country/location of origin), Tasmania (country/location of origin)
How it is used for food
Caution. The tubers can contain calcium oxalate. These can be irritating when eaten and should not be eaten in large quantities. Changing the cooking water can remove oxalates. They are roasted and eaten.
Edible parts
Tuber, root
How it is grown
Plants are grown from seed. Plants do not like disturbance.