Hypoxis colchicifolia
Baker
Hypoxidaceae
Hypoxis distachya Nel
Hypoxis gilgiana Nel
Hypoxis latifolia Hook.
Hypoxis oligotricha Baker
Common Name:
General Information
Hypoxis colchicifolia is a herbaceous perennial plant producing a cluster of 4 - 8 grass-like leaves around 10 - 60cm long and 3 - 11cm wide from a corm-like tuber; it can grow around 25 - 60cm tall[
1928- Title
- A Flora of the Eastern Cape Province Volume 1-3
- Publication
- Strelitzia 41
- Author
- Bredenkamp C.L.
- Publisher
- South African National Biodiversity Institute; Pretoria
- Year
- 2019
- ISBN
- 978-1-928224-28-0
- Description
-
].
The plant is widely used in traditional medicine in South Africa, where the root is collected from the natural environment on a mass scale[
1923- Title
- The genus Hypoxis L. (Hypoxidaceae) in the East Tropical Africa: variability, distribution and conservation status
- Publication
- Biodiv. Res. Conserv. 14: 1-129, 2009
- Author
- Wiland-Szymańska J.
- Website
- http://10.2478/v10119-009-0011-5
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2009
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
]. The plant is sometimes grown as an ornamental[
295- Title
- PlantZAfrica.com
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.plantzafrica.com
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent site giving detailed descriptions and uses of many S. African plants.
].
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
1928- Title
- A Flora of the Eastern Cape Province Volume 1-3
- Publication
- Strelitzia 41
- Author
- Bredenkamp C.L.
- Publisher
- South African National Biodiversity Institute; Pretoria
- Year
- 2019
- ISBN
- 978-1-928224-28-0
- Description
-
Range
Southern Africa - eastern S. Africa from Cape Province to KwaZulu-Natal
Habitat
Grass slopes and rocky outcrops, on sand and loamy soils[
1928- Title
- A Flora of the Eastern Cape Province Volume 1-3
- Publication
- Strelitzia 41
- Author
- Bredenkamp C.L.
- Publisher
- South African National Biodiversity Institute; Pretoria
- Year
- 2019
- ISBN
- 978-1-928224-28-0
- Description
-
].
Properties
| Medicinal Rating |  |
| Habit | Perennial |
| Height | 0.40 m |
| Pollinators | Insects |
| Cultivation Status | Ornamental, Wild |
Cultivation Details
Hypoxis species are generally not very cold tolerant plants and most species are badly damaged or killed by even light frosts. The majority of the S. African species come from summer rainfall areas with litle or no winter rain, and most species will usually grow well in a Mediterranean type of climate with little or no frost[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
Species in this genus generally require a light, freely draining soil and a position in full sun or light shade[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. This species is often found growing in sandy or nutrient-poor soils in the wild[
295- Title
- PlantZAfrica.com
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.plantzafrica.com
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent site giving detailed descriptions and uses of many S. African plants.
].
Hypoxis species greatly resent root disturbance, plants should be placed in their permanent positions as soon as possible and left undisturbed for as long as possible[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
The plant often experiences fires in its natural environment. Although top growth is killed, the tuber usually survives and resprouts afterwards[
295- Title
- PlantZAfrica.com
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.plantzafrica.com
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent site giving detailed descriptions and uses of many S. African plants.
].
Edible Uses
None known
Medicinal
The corm is used as an emetic and purgative, and also in the treatment of diabetes, cancer and osteoporosis[
1925- Title
- Diversity and Conservation Through Cultivation of Hypoxis in Africa - A Case Study of Hypoxis hemerocallidea
- Publication
- Diversity 2020, 12, 122;
- Author
- Mofokeng M.M. et al
- Website
- http://10.3390/d12040122
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2020
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
]. Infusions are drunk as a treatment for impotenct, barrenness, hysterical fits and acne[
295- Title
- PlantZAfrica.com
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.plantzafrica.com
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent site giving detailed descriptions and uses of many S. African plants.
].
Other Uses
None known
Propagation
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe[
295- Title
- PlantZAfrica.com
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.plantzafrica.com
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent site giving detailed descriptions and uses of many S. African plants.
].
Division.
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Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
