About Hypoxis hirsuta (L.) Coville
Hypoxis hirsuta (L.) Coville produces a basal rosette of grass-like leaves. The leaves reach up to 30 cm (12 in) long, have smooth margins, an elliptical shape, and bear scattered white hairs. One or more shorter stems grow from the leaf rosette, reaching a maximum length of 20 cm (8 in), and these stems also have scattered white hairs. Flowers grow from the end of each stem in an umbel group of 2 to 6, and occasionally only a single flower is produced. Flowering occurs from April to May. Individual flowers are 5–13 mm (0.2–0.5 in) long, with 3 yellow petals and 3 yellow sepals that spread outward. Flowers open in the morning and typically wilt when exposed to hot afternoon sun. When not in flower, the plant can resemble grass, though it is not a true grass. This species has low maintenance requirements, tolerates dry, average, or low soil moisture conditions, and grows in full sun or partial shade. It occurs naturally in the Eastern Great Lakes Lowlands, Northeastern Coastal Zone, Atlantic Coastal Pine Barrens, Acadian Plains and Hills, and Northeastern Highlands ecoregions. Hypoxis hirsuta is native to the United States, ranging from New Mexico in the west, Texas in the south, the Canadian border in the north, to Maine in the east. In Canada, it is native to Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Ontario. It is also native to northeastern Mexico, extending south to Tamaulipas. It grows in moist to slightly dry habitats including prairies, savannas, open woodlands, fens, glades, abandoned fields, and lawns. Its flowers attract small bees that feed on its pollen.
