Yellow Star

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©Kevin Sparrow via NatureShare CC2.5, Chris Clarke via NatureShare CC2.5

Hypoxis vaginata

Widespread and very variable perennial lily to 35 cm. Flowers to 2.5 cm across.

Details
Flora Type
Lilies, orchids
Former Scientific Name
H. vaginata var. vaginata
Other Common Names
Sheathing Yellow Star
Distinctive Features

Hairless leaves and stem. One long sheathing leaf-like bract on the flower stem.
Biology

Perennial. More common in wetter areas at low altitude sites in grassland and woodland.
Native Status
Native
Flowering Time

Aug-Nov
Taxonomy
Phylum
Tracheophyta (Vascular Plants)
Class
Magnoliopsida (Flowering Plants)
Order
Liliales
Family
Hypoxidaceae
Genus
Isoetopsis
Species
graminifolia

Source: Atlas of Living Australia

The small fleshy roots were eaten by Aboriginal people.

Interesting Facts
Similar Species

Similar species is Hypoxis vaginata var. brevistigmata which is smaller in all its parts. It is poorly recorded and possibly overlooked.
Native Status
Native