Golden weathergrass, Golden stars
Hypoxis pratensis
Family: Hypoxidaceae
What it is like
A lily-like plant. It grows 4-40 cm high. The corms are 0.8 cm long by 0.8 cm wide. They occur 0.5-8 cm below the soil surface. The leaves are 3.5-40 cm long by 0.1-0.35 cm wide. They are flat and dark green with a few hairs. The flowers are 2.5 cm across. They are yellow on both surfaces. There are 3-9 flowers on a stem. The stems are 4-35 cm long. The fruit is a capsule 0.6 cm long and nearly round. The seeds are reddish-brown.
There are about 100-150 Hypoxis species. There are 5-10 species in tropical America.
Where it is found
It grows in moist soils in open forest. It suits subtropical and warm temperate locations. It can tolerate light frosts.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia (country/location of origin)
How it is used for food
The roots are boiled and eaten.
Edible parts
Tubers, root
How it is grown
Plants are grown from seed.