Common Name:

General Information

Hypoxis urceolata is a robust, herbaceous perennial plant growing from a long rhizome and producing clusters of grass-like leaves from corm-like tubers; it can grow up to 60cm tall[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and a medicine. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental, valued for its attractive yellow flowers that are produced when the plant is leafless[]..
The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2009)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Tropical Africa - Congo, DR Congo, Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda; Arabian Peninsula - Yemen

Habitat

Meadows, herbaceous fallow fields, degraded pasture, forest-grassland transition, recently burned wooded savannah, wet areas, water flows, on rocky, kaolin soil; at elevations from 305 - 2,835 metres but mainly between 1,000 - 2,000 metres[, ].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.30 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. 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 a range of soils including rocky kaolin soil; sandy soil over quartzite; rocky or gravel soils; dark grey sandy clay loam; red brown clay loam; cotton 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[].
The plant flowers when it is in leaf[]. The yellow flowers are large, around 60mm across and showy, making the plant attractive and worthy of cultivation[

Edible Uses

Root - cooked[]. Eaten in Sudan[]. Up to 40mm in diameter[]. The tuber is bright yellow to saffron yellow (rarely whitish) inside, turning bluish when exposed to air[]. The ovoid tuber is 33 - 65mm long and 23 - 30mm wide[]

The roots have been used for gum[]. This report does not state if it is for food or other purposes[].

Medicinal

The extract prepared from the boiled tubers has been used as a purgative for newborns[].

Other Uses

The roots have been used for gum[]. This report does not state if it is for food or other purposes[].

Propagation

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

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