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Native Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Hypoxis hirsuta (Common goldstar)
Flaigg, Norman G.

Hypoxis hirsuta (L.) Coville

Common goldstar, Yellow star-grass, Eastern yellow star-grass

Liliaceae (Lily Family)

USDA Symbol: hyhi2

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

A low, tufted, grass-like perennial, eastern yellow star-grass grows 3-8 in. tall from a hard, hairy corm. The hairy, grass-like leaves originate from the base of the plant. Slender, thread-like flowering stems may be erect or reclining. They carry 3/4 in., star-shaped, yellow flowers below the top of the leaves.

This small plant can easily be confused with a grass unless its distinctive flower is seen.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf: Green
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 0-1 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , CO , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NM , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , TX , VA , VT , WI , WV
Canada: ON
Native Distribution: S. ME to FL, w. to Man., e. CO & e. TX
Native Habitat: Open woods; dry to damp prairies & meadows
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Rich, acid loam.
Conditions Comments: Not Available

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Attracts bees and butterflies.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Propagation

Description: Easily propagated by division while the plant is dormant in spring or fall. Separate the corms that form around the parent plant. Seeds should be sown in fall, barely covered with soil.
Seed Collection: The tiny black seeds are elusive and difficult to collect.
Seed Treatment: Not Available
Commercially Avail: yes

From the National Suppliers Directory

According to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:

Edge of the Woods Native Plant Nursery - Orefield, PA
Sunshine Farm & Gardens - Renick, WV
American Native Nursery - Quakertown, PA

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Native Plant Center at Westchester Community College, The - Valhalla, NY
Pineywoods Native Plant Center - Nacogdoches, TX
Crosby Arboretum - Picayune, MS
Stengl Biological Research Station - Smithville, TX
* Available Online from Wildflower Center Store

Bibliography

* The Midwestern Native Garden: Native Alternatives to Nonnative Flowers and Plants An Illustrated Guide (2011) Adelman, Charlotte and Schwartz, Bernard L.
Bibref 328 - Wildflowers of Texas (2003) Ajilvsgi, Geyata.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Hypoxis hirsuta in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Hypoxis hirsuta in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Hypoxis hirsuta

Metadata

Record Modified: 2012-10-03
Research By: TWC Staff

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