Hypoxis hygrometrica

Golden Star, Yellow Star

Family: Hypoxidaceae

Hypoxis hygrometrica is a small herb up to 25 cm high. It grows in grassland and swampy areas.

The leaves are 10-18 cm long, fine, and sprinkled with long silky hairs.

The terminal flowers are yellow, with 3 petals and 3 sepals which are similar, spread in a star shape, 8-14 mm wide. The backs of the sepals are green.

Hypoxis hygrometrica can be confused with Tricoryne simplex, but is distinguished by not having tufts of hairs on the flower filaments.

The name hygrometrica refers to the fine long hairs which cover the plant and which respond to water by twisting in dry conditions, uncoiling in wet.

Hypoxis hygrometrica flowers in November, December, January, February and March.