Hypoxis decumbens L.

• Authority

  Britton, Nathaniel L. Flora Borinqueña.

• Family

  Hypoxidaceae

• Scientific Name

  Hypoxis decumbens L.

• Description

  Species Description - Very different in aspect from plants of most other genera of its family, but related to them by the structure of its flowers, this low, small-flowered, perennial hero grows nearly throughout the West Indies, and in continental tropical America ranges from central Mexico to Paraguay. It is frequent in moist parts of Porto Rico, on banks and hillsides, often among grasses, ranging from sea-level to at least 900 meters. We have found no Spanish name recorded. Hypoxis (Greek, originally given to some plant with sour leaves) is a name taken up by Linnaeus for this genus, with the species here illustrated typical; about 50 species are known, inhabiting temperate and tropical regions, the majority of them in the Old World; about 15 are natives of America. They are low herbs, with short root-stocks or small, solid bulbs (corms), tufted, grass-like leaves, the flowers borne in small clusters on slender stalks (scapes) arising with the leaves from the base of the plant. The 6-parted corolla (perianth), is withering-persistent on the capsular fruit, its segments nearly equal; there are 6 stamens, one opposite each corolla-segment, the filaments short, the anthers erect; the 3-celled ovary contains many ovules; the short style is topped by 3 stigmas. The capsular fruit usually opens transversely near the top, releasing the round, black seeds. Hypoxis decumbens (decumbent) has a corm 7 to 20 millimeters in diameter, and elongated, long-hairy, thin, reclining leaves from 10 to 40 centimeters long, and from 3 to 12 millimeters wide. The very slender flower-stalk is shorter than the leaves, and bears 1 or few flowers; the lance-shaped segments of the corolla are 5 or 6 millimeters long, greenish and long-hairy on the outer side, yellow within; the stamens have slender filaments and arrow-shaped anthers. The capsule is from 7 to 17 millimeters long, the dull, black seeds with low, rounded markings. Another species, Hypoxis Wrightii, is occasional on the northern coastal plain, and also inhabits Cuba, Florida and the Bahama Islands. This differs from Hypoxis decumbens, by much narrower leaves, only 1 to 3 millimeters wide, and its shining seeds have irregularly curving markings.

• Discussion

  Southern Yellow Star-grass Amaryllis Family Hypoxis decumbens Linnaeus, Systema Naturae, Edition 10,986. 1759.