Grass stars
Hypoxis nervosa
Family: Hypoxidaceae
What it is like
A lily-like plant. The corms are 2 cm long by 1.5 cm wide. The corms are 1-3.5 cm below the soil surface. The roots are tuberous. The leaves are 5-30 cm long by 0.1-0.5 cm wide. They are narrow and flat or with a channel. They are dark green and have a few hairs. The flowers are 2 cm across and yellow inside. They are pale yellow or pink outside. There are 2-4 flowers on a stem. The stems are 8-20 cm long. The fruit are capsules 0.4-0.5 cm long. The seeds are brown.
There are about 100-150 Hypoxis species. There are 5-10 species in tropical America.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. They grow in moist grassy areas in tropical woodland in northern Australia.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Australia, Botswana
How it is used for food
The small tubers are eaten after roasting.
Edible parts
Corms, roots
How it is grown
Plants are grown from seed.
Its other names
Local names
Djalpinyngu, Walungu