Common Goldstar

Very rarely, specimens of Hypoxis hirsuta have cylindrical ovaries and/or bracts nearly equaling the pedicels. These specimens are recognized by the umbelliform inflorescence typical of H. hirsuta. The condition appears to be pathological and is associated with a lack of seed development.

Leaves (1–)2–5(–15) mm wide, soft, flexible, essentially glabrous or sparsely to densely pubescent. Scape (4–)5–17(–25) cm. Inflorescences umbellate, 1–5(–7)-flowered; proximal 2 flowers, when present, always paired; bracts (1–)2–10(–17) mm. Flowers: tepals (3–)6–10(–17) × 2–4 (–5) mm, shorter than pedicel, much longer than ovary; anthers 1.5–3.5(–4) mm; ovary obconic, (1–)2–4 × (1–)2–4 mm, densely pubescent; pedicel (6–)9–25(–30) mm, usually 2+ times longer than bracts. Seeds black, lustrous, (0.9–)1–1.5(–1.7) mm, coarsely muricate.

Man., Ont., Sask.; Ala., Ark., Colo., Conn., Del., D.C., Ga., Ill., Ind., Iowa, Kans., Ky., La., Maine, Md., Mass., Mich., Minn., Miss., Mo., Nebr., N.H., N.J., N.Y., N.C., N.Dak., Ohio, Okla., Pa., R.I., S.C., S.Dak., Tenn., Tex., Vt., Va., W.Va., Wis.

Flowering spring--summer.

Wet to dry woodlands and prairies; 0--1700m.

Ornithogalum hirsutum Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 1: 306. 1753; Hypoxis carolinensis Michaux; H. erecta Linnaeus; H. graminea Pursh; H. grandis Pollard; H. micrantha Pollard; H. pallida Salisbury; H. villosa Rafinesque