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Hypoxis hemerocallidea

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A rare form of growth: Three ways.


A rare form of growth: Three ways.  Only a Madagascan palm are known for that.

Author:  Fischer, Meyer & Avé-Lallemant, 1843
Family:  HYPOXIDACEAE
Origin:  Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, South Africa, Zimbabwe
Soil:  Sand - Mix
Water:  Medium
Sun:  Maximum
Thickness:  7 Centimetres
Height:  40 Centimetres
Flower:  Yellow
Propagate:  Seeds
Names:  Star Flower, Star Lily African Potato
Synonyms:  Hypoxis rooperi, S. Moore.
Hypoxis elata, Hook.f.
Hypoxis obconica, Nel
Hypoxis patula, Nel.
Common misspelling:
Hypoxis hermerocallidea

This member of the Anthericaceae family was given this name by Friedrich Ernst Ludwig von Fischer, Carl Anton (Andreevič) von Meyer and Julius Léopold Edouard Avé-Lallemant in 1843. It is found in south-eastern Africa, growing in sand or an other well drained soil with some water and lots of sun. The corm will grow to seven centimetres and the leaves to 40 centimetres. The flowers are bright yellow.

Also seen as a member of the Anthericaceae, Amaryllidaceae and Liliaceae families.

The genera name from the Greek hypo; 'beneath' and -oxys; 'sharp'; referring to the base of the capsule. The species name indicate the flower only last one day.


The Origin in Sodwana Bay, South Africa.