There are approximately 90 species in this genus, occurring nearly worldwide in the Hypoxidaceae family. The majority of the species occur in the southern hemisphere, with most in Africa. The scientific name is derived from the Greek words hypo , which translates to below and oxy , referring to the pointed fruit base. The plants can grow from corms, tubers, or rhizomes and can reach heights of 3 to 12 inches, spreading to form clumps. They tend to prefer full sun to partial shade and appear in most types of well-drained soils. Propagation is by seed or division. The yellow flowers consist of 6 yellow tepals that may have hairs, especially on the undersides and may be tinted in white, green or red on top or the undersides. The leaves vary per species and can be a cluster of lance-shaped, linear or thread-like leaves. Some species could be used in a pollinator or rock garden or as a ground cover. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Dry | Occasionally Wet
Available space
Less than 12 inches; 12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 4 in. - 1 ft. 0 in. | Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Arching; Erect
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Sheath
Leaf arrangement
Rosulate
Leaf shape
Lanceolate; Linear
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Smooth
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Clumps of leaves can be lance-shaped, linear or grass-like. Size varies per species
Flower color
Gold/Yellow
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Umbel
Flower shape
Star
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
The star-shaped flowers are typically yellow with 6 sepals that may have hairs, especially on the undersides. Some species may have the top or undersides tinged in white, red or green.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Brown/Copper
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
The oval capsule, called a pyxis, splits when dry to release several black, oily seeds.
Stem color
Green; Insignificant
Stem detail
Depending on the variety, the stems will end in an umbel of 2 to 12 flowers. Stems are often hairy.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Tropical Africa, the Americas, southeast Asia and Australia
Wildlife value
Honey bees frequent this plant. Small rodents may eat the corms.
Attracts
Bees
Play value
Attractive Flowers; Attracts Pollinators; Buffer; Colorful; Easy to Grow
Food & Medicine
Fruit type
Capsule
Uses (ethnobotany)
Used in the garden as a accent.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Meadow; Naturalized Area; Patio; Slope/Bank; Small Space; Woodland