Common Name:

General Information

Hypoxis polystachya is a robust, herbaceous perennial plant producing a cluster of up to 12 grass-like leaves from an underground corm-like tuber; it can grow around 40 - 100cm tall[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine. It is occasionally cultivated for medicinal use by traditional medicine men[].
The plant is classified as 'Vulnerable' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2009)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Tropical Africa - Angola, DR Congo, Tanzania, Malawi

Habitat

Primary and disturbed Miombo woodland; at elevations from 1,150 - 1,800 metres[, ].

Properties

Conservation Status	Vulnerable
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.70 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, 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 black loamy soil and laterite[].
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

A drink made from the boiled tubers is used to treat swelling of the testes and ovaries[].
The fresh ground tubers are used to treat fungal infection of the scalp[, ].

The sap from the tuber is used as a treatment in cases of skin lesions and moles[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

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

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