Common Name:

General Information

Hypoxis nyasica is a slender, perennial plant producing a cluster of 5 - 12 grass-like leaves from a corm-like tuber; it can grow 15 - 90cm tall. The plant occasionally forms a tuft with several clusters of leaves on a rootstock[, ].
The plant is often collected from the wild for local use and trade as a medicine[].
The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2009)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Eastern tropical Africa - Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe

Habitat

Grassland, wet meadows, Brachystegia woodland, open woodland or disturbed forest; at elevations from 400 - 2,300 metres, but mainly between 1,00 - 2,000 metres[, ].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.50 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Hypoxis species are generally not very cold tolerant plants and most species are badly damaged or killed by even light frosts. They will usually grow well in a Mediterranean type of climate with little or no frost[].
Species in this genus generally require a light, freely draining soil and a position in full sun or light shade[]. This species is found in the wild on laterite, brown sandy loam, muddy black soils[].
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[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

Hypoxis nyasica was administrated to relieve cough by Nyanja tribe[, ].
Tubers of Hypoxis nyasica are probably gathered in Tanzania and sold in Zambia as a treatment for AIDS[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe[].
Division.

Add a Comment:

If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.

Name:

Email(Private):

Message:

Captcha: subtract 1 from 12