Common Name:

General Information

Hypoxis rigidula is an erect, robust, herbaceous perennial plant producing a cluster of 5 - 9 grass-like leaves from a corm-like tuber; it can grow up to 100cm tall, growing separately or in clumps[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and a tying material. It is often harvested on a large scale for medicinal use, being marketed under the name 'African Potato', a name more accurately applied to the species Hypoxis hemerocallidea[].
The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2009)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Eastern and southern Africa - Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Namibia, S. Africa

Habitat

Open grassland or woodland, fallows; laterite or black soil; at elevations from 800 - 2,300 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.80 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[]. Plants are found in the wild in humus-rich, laterite or black soils with a circumneutral pH[].
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

The corm is used in the treatment of gall sickness[].

The roots are often harvested from the wild in large quantities and marketed under the name 'African Potato', a name more accurately applied to the traditional medicinal species Hypoxis hemerocallidea, which is used in the treatment of a range of conditions including cancer, HIV/AIDS, urinary tract diseases, reproductive system diseases, prostate hypertrophy, benign prostate hyperplasia, tuberculosis, syphilis and diabetes[, ].
Research has shown that the root of this species has a similar, though not identical, phytochemical profile to Hypoxis hemerocallidea and is non-toxic. However, it is not known if the medicinal benefits are the same[].

Other Uses

The leaves are used for tying firewood and making ropes[]. They are particularly useful for these purposes because of the presence of numerous long sclerenchymal fibres[].

Propagation

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

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