yellow star grass

Hypoxis hirsuta

 

 

 

characteristics

Growth begins from a bulb with hairy flowering stems; often shorter than the leaves. Basal leaves are grass-like and hairy. Star shaped flowers bloom in a long-stalked cluster (umbel). Flowers are Golden yellow, six-parted with erect stamens. Fruit is a capsule containing small oval black seeds. A member of the lily family.

Starts from seed.

habitat

Prairie, open woods, abandoned fields.

uses

Flowers attract small bees such as Carpenter bees, Mason bees, and Halicitine bees who collect pollen. Beetles and Syrphid flies feed on the pollen.

North American aboriginals made an infusion taken for the heart.