# Hypoxis

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***Hypoxis*** is a [genus](/source/Genus) of [flowering plants](/source/Flowering_plant) of the family [Hypoxidaceae](/source/Hypoxidaceae). The genus has an "[almost cosmopolitan](/source/Cosmopolitan_distribution)" distribution, occurring in Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Australia.[1] Europe lacks native species.[2] Most species are in the Southern Hemisphere, especially in southern Africa.[3] Common names for the genus include **star-grass**,[3] **star lily**, **yellow stars**, **African potato**,[1] and **stars**.[4] The genus is the largest of the Hypoxidaceae[5][6] and has its centre of variation in South Africa,[5][7][8] where it occurs in open undisturbed grasslands.[7] The name *Hypoxis* was taken over by Linnaeus in 1759 from a name coined by [Paul Reneaulme](/source/Paul_Reneaulme) in 1611 for a superficially similar species of *[Gagea](/source/Gagea)* and meaning "a little sour", referring to the taste of that plant's leaves.[9][10]

## Description

These plants are perennial herbs with [corms](/source/Corm) or [rhizomes](/source/Rhizome). Some have [tubers](/source/Tuber). The aboveground herbage is a layered cluster of lance-shaped, linear, or hairlike leaves, sometimes sheathed together at the bases. The blades are usually at least slightly hairy. The flowers are borne on a short, stemlike [scape](/source/Scape_(botany)) in a [raceme](/source/Raceme) or [umbel](/source/Umbel) arrangement, or sometimes singly. The flower has six yellow [tepals](/source/Tepal) which may be hairy, especially on the undersides. The undersides may also be whitish or tinged green or red. Occasional flowers have 4 or 8 tepals. The fruit is a capsule with a few to many small, oily seeds.[1][3][4]

The seeds are needed to identify many species. Most have seeds less than 2 millimeters long, so microscopic examination is required.[11]

## Uses

*Hypoxis* plants have long played a role in [traditional African medicine](/source/Traditional_African_medicine); *H. hemerocallidea* and *H. colchicifolia* are the best known species used to make medicine and teas. The genus is not only used in traditional medicine, it has become important also in pharmaceutical preparations.[12]

Archaeological evidence found in ashes in Border Cave, South Africa has revealed that early humans roasted the rhizomes of some of the more palatable species of *Hypoxis* as long as 170,000 years ago.[13]

## Species

Sources have estimated 90[1][11] or 100[3] to 150[14] species in the genus. As of October 2023, [Plants of the World Online](/source/Plants_of_the_World_Online) recognized 90 species:[15]

- *[Hypoxis abyssinica](/source/Hypoxis_abyssinica)* Hochst.
- *[Hypoxis acuminata](/source/Hypoxis_acuminata)* Baker
- *[Hypoxis angustifolia](/source/Hypoxis_angustifolia)* Lam.
- *[Hypoxis argentea](/source/Hypoxis_argentea)* Harv. ex Baker
- *[Hypoxis arillacea](/source/Hypoxis_arillacea)* R.J.F.Hend.
- *[Hypoxis atlantica](/source/Hypoxis_atlantica)* Funez, Hassemer & J.P.R.Ferreira
- *[Hypoxis aurea](/source/Hypoxis_aurea)* Lour.
- *[Hypoxis bampsiana](/source/Hypoxis_bampsiana)* Wiland
- *[Hypoxis baurii](/source/Hypoxis_baurii)* Baker
- *[Hypoxis camerooniana](/source/Hypoxis_camerooniana)* Baker
- *[Hypoxis canaliculata](/source/Hypoxis_canaliculata)* Baker
- *[Hypoxis catamarcensis](/source/Hypoxis_catamarcensis)* Brackett
- *[Hypoxis cavernicola](/source/Hypoxis_cavernicola)* M.D.Barrett
- *[Hypoxis colchicifolia](/source/Hypoxis_colchicifolia)* Baker
- *[Hypoxis colliculata](/source/Hypoxis_colliculata)* Sánchez-Ken[16]
- *[Hypoxis costata](/source/Hypoxis_costata)* Baker
- *[Hypoxis cuanzensis](/source/Hypoxis_cuanzensis)* Welw. ex Baker
- *[Hypoxis curtissii](/source/Hypoxis_curtissii)* Rose in J.K.Small – Curtiss' star-grass
- *[Hypoxis decumbens](/source/Hypoxis_decumbens)* L.
- *[Hypoxis demissa](/source/Hypoxis_demissa)* Nel
- *[Hypoxis dinteri](/source/Hypoxis_dinteri)* Nel
- *[Hypoxis domingensis](/source/Hypoxis_domingensis)* Urb.
- *[Hypoxis exaltata](/source/Hypoxis_exaltata)* Nel
- *[Hypoxis exilis](/source/Hypoxis_exilis)* R.J.F.Hend. – swamp star
- *[Hypoxis filiformis](/source/Hypoxis_filiformis)* Baker
- *[Hypoxis fischeri](/source/Hypoxis_fischeri)* Pax
- *[Hypoxis flanaganii](/source/Hypoxis_flanaganii)* Baker
- *[Hypoxis floccosa](/source/Hypoxis_floccosa)* Baker
- *[Hypoxis galpinii](/source/Hypoxis_galpinii)* Baker
- *[Hypoxis gerrardii](/source/Hypoxis_gerrardii)* Baker
- *[Hypoxis goetzei](/source/Hypoxis_goetzei)* Harms
- *[Hypoxis gregoriana](/source/Hypoxis_gregoriana)* Rendle
- *[Hypoxis hemerocallidea](/source/Hypoxis_hemerocallidea)* Fisch., C.A.Mey. & Avé-Lall. – African potato
- *[Hypoxis hirsuta](/source/Hypoxis_hirsuta)* (L.) Coville – common goldstar
- *[Hypoxis humilis](/source/Hypoxis_humilis)* Kunth
- *[Hypoxis hygrometrica](/source/Hypoxis_hygrometrica)* Labill. – golden weather-glass
- *[Hypoxis interjecta](/source/Hypoxis_interjecta)* Nel
- *[Hypoxis juncea](/source/Hypoxis_juncea)* Sm. – fringed yellow star-grass
- *[Hypoxis kilimanjarica](/source/Hypoxis_kilimanjarica)* Baker
- *[Hypoxis kraussiana](/source/Hypoxis_kraussiana)* Buchinger ex C.Krauss
- *[Hypoxis lata](/source/Hypoxis_lata)* Nel
- *[Hypoxis lejolyana](/source/Hypoxis_lejolyana)* Wiland
- *[Hypoxis leucotricha](/source/Hypoxis_leucotricha)* Fritsch
- *[Hypoxis limicola](/source/Hypoxis_limicola)* B.L.Burtt
- *[Hypoxis longifolia](/source/Hypoxis_longifolia)* Baker
- *[Hypoxis lucens](/source/Hypoxis_lucens)* McVaugh
- *[Hypoxis ludwigii](/source/Hypoxis_ludwigii)* Baker
- *[Hypoxis lusalensis](/source/Hypoxis_lusalensis)* Wiland
- *[Hypoxis malaissei](/source/Hypoxis_malaissei)* Wiland
- *[Hypoxis marginata](/source/Hypoxis_marginata)* R.Br.
- *[Hypoxis membranacea](/source/Hypoxis_membranacea)* Baker
- *[Hypoxis mexicana](/source/Hypoxis_mexicana)* Schult. & Schult.f. – Mexican yellow star-grass
- *[Hypoxis milloides](/source/Hypoxis_milloides)* Baker
- *[Hypoxis monanthos](/source/Hypoxis_monanthos)* Baker
- *[Hypoxis muhilensis](/source/Hypoxis_muhilensis)* Wiland
- *[Hypoxis multiceps](/source/Hypoxis_multiceps)* Buchinger ex Baker
- *[Hypoxis neliana](/source/Hypoxis_neliana)* Schinz
- *[Hypoxis nervosa](/source/Hypoxis_nervosa)* R.J.F.Hend.
- *[Hypoxis nivea](/source/Hypoxis_nivea)* Y.Singh
- *[Hypoxis nyasica](/source/Hypoxis_nyasica)* Baker
- *[Hypoxis oblonga](/source/Hypoxis_oblonga)* Nel
- *[Hypoxis obtusa](/source/Hypoxis_obtusa)* Burch. ex Ker Gawl.
- *[Hypoxis oligophylla](/source/Hypoxis_oligophylla)* Baker
- *[Hypoxis parvifolia](/source/Hypoxis_parvifolia)* Baker
- *[Hypoxis parvula](/source/Hypoxis_parvula)* Baker
- *[Hypoxis polystachya](/source/Hypoxis_polystachya)* Welw. ex Baker
- *[Hypoxis potosina](/source/Hypoxis_potosina)* Brackett
- *[Hypoxis pratensis](/source/Hypoxis_pratensis)* R.Br.
- *[Hypoxis protrusa](/source/Hypoxis_protrusa)* Nel
- *[Hypoxis pulchella](/source/Hypoxis_pulchella)* G.L.Nesom
- *[Hypoxis rigida](/source/Hypoxis_rigida)* Chapm.
- *[Hypoxis rigidula](/source/Hypoxis_rigidula)* Baker
- *[Hypoxis robusta](/source/Hypoxis_robusta)* Nel
- *[Hypoxis rubella](/source/Hypoxis_rubella)* Baker
- *[Hypoxis sagittata](/source/Hypoxis_sagittata)* Nel
- *[Hypoxis schimperi](/source/Hypoxis_schimperi)* Baker
- *[Hypoxis sessilis](/source/Hypoxis_sessilis)* L.
- *[Hypoxis setosa](/source/Hypoxis_setosa)* Baker
- *[Hypoxis sobolifera](/source/Hypoxis_sobolifera)* Jacq.
- *[Hypoxis stellipilis](/source/Hypoxis_stellipilis)* Ker Gawl.
- *[Hypoxis suffruticosa](/source/Hypoxis_suffruticosa)* Nel
- *[Hypoxis symoensiana](/source/Hypoxis_symoensiana)* Wiland
- *[Hypoxis tepicensis](/source/Hypoxis_tepicensis)* Brackett
- *[Hypoxis tetramera](/source/Hypoxis_tetramera)* Hilliard & B.L.Burtt
- *[Hypoxis uniflorata](/source/Hypoxis_uniflorata)* Markötter
- *[Hypoxis upembensis](/source/Hypoxis_upembensis)* Wiland
- *[Hypoxis urceolata](/source/Hypoxis_urceolata)* Nel
- *[Hypoxis villosa](/source/Hypoxis_villosa)* L.f.
- *[Hypoxis wrightii](/source/Hypoxis_wrightii)* (Baker) Brackett
- *[Hypoxis zeyheri](/source/Hypoxis_zeyheri)* Baker

## References

1. Singh, Y. (Natal Herbarium, Durban). [*Hypoxis*.](http://www.plantzafrica.com/planthij/hypoxis.htm) PlantZAfrica.com: South African National Biodiversity Institute. 2004.

1. [*Hypoxis*.](http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=116263) Flora of China.

1. [*Hypoxis*.](http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=116263) Flora of North America.

1. [*Hypoxis*.](https://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/21241) FloraBase. Western Australian Herbarium.

1. Singh, Y. (2007-07-01). "Hypoxis (Hypoxidaceae) in southern Africa: Taxonomic notes". *South African Journal of Botany*. **73** (3): 360–365. [doi:10.1016/j.sajb.2007.02.001](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2007.02.001)

1. Kocyan, Alexander; Snijman, Deirdre A.; Forest, Félix; Devey, Dion S.; Freudenstein, John V.; Wiland-Szymańska, Justyna; Chase, Mark W.; Rudall, Paula J. (2011-07-01). "Molecular phylogenetics of Hypoxidaceae – Evidence from plastid DNA data and inferences on morphology and biogeography". *Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution*. **60** (1): 122–136. [Bibcode:2011MolPE..60..122K](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2011MolPE..60..122K). [doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2011.02.021](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2011.02.021). [PMID 21459153](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21459153)

1. Nordal, Inger; Laane, Morten M.; Holt, Ellen; Staubo, Inger (1985-02-01). "Taxonomic studies of the genus Hypoxis in East Africa". *Nordic Journal of Botany*. **5** (1): 15–30. [doi:10.1111/j.1756-1051.1985.tb02067.x](https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1756-1051.1985.tb02067.x). [ISSN 1756-1051](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/1756-1051)

1. Wiland-Szymańska, Justyna (2009). "The genus Hypoxis L. (Hypoxidaceae) in the East Tropical". *Biodiversity: Research and Conservation*. **14** (–1): 1–129. [doi:10.2478/v10119-009-0011-5](https://doi.org/10.2478/v10119-009-0011-5)

1. ["Paul Reneaulme. Specimen Historiae Plantarum. 1611. page 92"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160307080312/http://bibdigital.rjb.csic.es/ing/Libro.php?Libro=5524&Pagina=98). Archived from [the original](http://bibdigital.rjb.csic.es/ing/Libro.php?Libro=5524&Pagina=98) on 2016-03-07. Retrieved 2016-03-03.

1. Drewes and Khan (2004). "The African Potato (Hypoxis hemerocallidea): a chemical historical perspective". *South African Journal of Science*

1. Zona, S. et al. (2009). ["A seed atlas of *Hypoxis* from eastern North America"](https://web.archive.org/web/20131219021739/http://www.learnedgardener.com/yahoo_site_admin/assets/docs/Zona_et_al_2009_Hypoxis_seed_atlas.9070620.pdf). *J. Torrey Bot. Soc.*. **136** (1): 26–32. [doi:10.3159/08-ra-086r.1](https://doi.org/10.3159/08-ra-086r.1). [S2CID 86643608](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:86643608). Archived from [the original](http://www.learnedgardener.com/yahoo_site_admin/assets/docs/Zona_et_al_2009_Hypoxis_seed_atlas.9070620.pdf) on 2013-12-19. Retrieved 2013-08-19.

1. Betto, P.; Gabriele, R.; Galeffi, C. (1992-03-06). "Determination of the norlignan glucosides of Hypoxidaceae by high-performance liquid chromatography". *Journal of Chromatography A*. **594** (1): 131–135. [doi:10.1016/0021-9673(92)80321-K](https://doi.org/10.1016/0021-9673(92)80321-K)

1. Wadley, L.; Backwell, L.; d'Errico, F. (2020-01-03). "Cooked starchy rhizomes in Africa 170 thousand years ago". *Science*. **367** (6473): 87–91. [Bibcode:2020Sci...367...87W](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2020Sci...367...87W). [doi:10.1126/science.aaz5926](https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aaz5926). [hdl:11336/142825](https://hdl.handle.net/11336/142825). [PMID 31896717](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31896717)

1. [Genus *Hypoxis*.](http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=gn&name=Hypoxis) New South Wales Flora Online. National Herbarium. Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney.

1. [*Hypoxis* L.](https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:1499-1) *[Plants of the World Online](/source/Plants_of_the_World_Online)*. Retrieved 8 October 2023.

1. Sánchez-Ken, J. G. (2010). ["*Hypoxis colliculata* (Hypoxidaceae), a new species from Mexico and a key to the American species with black seeds"](http://www.scielo.org.mx/pdf/abm/n92/n92a1.pdf). *Acta Botanica Mexicana*. **92** (92): 1–9. [doi:10.21829/abm92.2010.280](https://doi.org/10.21829/abm92.2010.280)

## External links

- [*Hypoxis*.](http://redlist.sanbi.org/genus.php?genus=1603) Red List of South African Plants. SANBI.
- [GRIN Species Records of *Hypoxis*.](http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/splist.pl?5986) Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN).
- [*Hypoxis*.](https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=500345) ITIS.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Hypoxis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypoxis) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypoxis?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.