Yellow star grass
Hypoxis hirsuta

Family: Hypoxidaceae

What it is like

A herb. It keeps growing from year to year. It has a large corm. The stems are 15-30 cm tall. The leaves are sword shaped and 60-70 cm long by 1 cm wide. They are covered with white hairs. The flowers have 6 star shaped petals. They are about 1 cm across. They are in groups of 5-7 flowers. They are pale yellow. The flower buds are covered with small hairs.

It has also been put in the family Amaryllidaceae.

Where it is found

It grows on mountain slopes and rocky places. It is best in acid soils.

Countries/locations it is found in

Canada, North America, USA

How it is used for food

The roots are cooked and eaten as a vegetable.

Edible parts

Roots

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Hypoxis carolinensis Michx.; Hypoxis decumbens L.; Hypoxis erecta L.; Hypoxis graminea Pursh; Hypoxis grandis Pollard; Hypoxis micrantha Pollard; Hypoxis pallida Salisb.; Hypoxis villosa Raf.; Ornithogalum hirsutum L.;