Hypoxis upembensis
Wiland
Hypoxidaceae
Common Name:
General Information
Hypoxis upembensis is a perennial plant producing a cluster of 5 - 10 grass-like leaves from a globose corm-like tuber; it can grow up to 21cm tall[
1924- Title
- The Genus Hypoxis (Hypoxidaceae) in Central Africa
- Publication
- Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 88: 302-350. 2001
- Author
- Wiland-Szymańska J.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2001
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
1924- Title
- The Genus Hypoxis (Hypoxidaceae) in Central Africa
- Publication
- Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 88: 302-350. 2001
- Author
- Wiland-Szymańska J.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2001
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
Range
Tropical Africa - southern DR Congo
Habitat
Grasslands; at elevations around 1,750 metres[
1924- Title
- The Genus Hypoxis (Hypoxidaceae) in Central Africa
- Publication
- Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 88: 302-350. 2001
- Author
- Wiland-Szymańska J.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2001
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
].
Properties
| Edibility Rating |  |
| Habit | Perennial |
| Height | 0.20 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[
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.
].
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.
].
Edible Uses
Rhizome - cooked and eaten as a vegetable[
1924- Title
- The Genus Hypoxis (Hypoxidaceae) in Central Africa
- Publication
- Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 88: 302-350. 2001
- Author
- Wiland-Szymańska J.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2001
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
]. The dried rhizome is around 15mm in diameter[
1924- Title
- The Genus Hypoxis (Hypoxidaceae) in Central Africa
- Publication
- Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 88: 302-350. 2001
- Author
- Wiland-Szymańska J.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2001
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
].
Medicinal
None known
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.
