Liliaceae
Lily Family
Star-grass
Hypoxis hirsuta (L.) Cov.
- Stem: perennial from a bulb.
- Leaves: basal; linear, pointed, with sheathing base; 4” to 8” long by 1/4” wide; lightly long-hairy.
- Inflorescence: few flowers at the tip of a hairy branching flower stalk from the base of the plant; the flower stalk two-thirds the length of the leaves.
- Flowers: sepals and petals yellow, 3/8” long, long-hairy, on a tiny, hairy ovary (inferior ovary); six prominent stamens, yellow; flowering from early May to early June.
- Fruits: capsule, 1/8” long, lumpy, green; few black seeds, 1/16” in diameter; fruiting begins in mid-May.
- Habitat: common to frequent on moist to mesic prairies; also in woodland openings and open woods.
- Bibliography from Biodiversity Heritage Library
- Vascular Plants of Iowa
Can be found in these counties:
