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Native Plant Society of Texas

Yellow Star-grass

Hypoxis hirsuta

Other common name(s):

Common Goldstar, Eastern Yellow Star-grass

Family:

Hypoxidaceae (Hypoxis Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

This map uses data from the US EPA. EPA  servers have been offline frequently so maps may not display. We are working on a solution.

East Central Texas Plains, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Texas Blackland Prairies, Western Gulf Coastal Plain
Bastrop Lost Pines, Floodplains and Low Terraces2, Northern Post Oak Savanna, Northern Prairie Outliers, San Antonio Prairie, Southern Post Oak Savanna
Northern Humid Gulf Coastal Prairies
Floodplains and Low Terraces1, Northern Blackland Prairie, Southern Blackland Prairie
Flatwoods, Floodplains and Low Terraces3, Pleistocene Fluvial Terraces, Red River Bottomlands, Southern Tertiary Uplands, Tertiary Uplands

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Herbaceous

Height

.5
to
.75
ft.

Spread

.5
to
.75
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Loam, Rich, Well Drained, Dry

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade, Shade

Water Requirement

Medium

Native Habitat

Grassland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Yellow

Bloom Season

Spring

Seasonal Interest

Nectar, Pollen

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Bees

Maintenance

Low maintenance. Likes to spread so give it lots of room or thin as needed. Makes a good ground cover. Avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot. Adapts to various soil types. Native habitat: open woods, dry to damp prairies and meadows. While it can be preyed upon by slugs, snails, and leafhoppers, and may develop rust on leaves, it’s generally not a heavy pest or disease target. Mature clusters can be divided every few years to encourage growth. Propagation: seed, division.

Comments

Blooms April-June. A low, tufted, grass-like form, growing from a hairy corm. The hairy, grass-like leaves originate from the base of the plant. Slender, thread-like flower stems may be erect or reclining. bearing star-shaped, yellow flowers below the top of the leaves. The fruit is a capsule.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Hypoxis decumbens, Ornithogalum hirsutum

References

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Tuber Division Carefully separate the tubers, ensuring that each section has a healthy amount of roots and shoots. Plant them in individual pots with well-draining soil. Or Choose a location with partial shade and well-drained soil. Plant the divisions in the ground at the same depth they were originally growing, water them thoroughly, and mulch around the base to retain moisture. Best done during the dormancy period. Carefully dig around the plant, ensuring you get a good portion of the root system. 1) https://earthone.io/plant/hypoxis%20hirsuta 2) https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-hypoxis-hirsuta/
Seed Stratification Direct sow in the fall, pressing the tiny seeds in the surface of rich soil and sprinkling a very thin layer of soil on top; this seed needs light to germinate. Mixing the seed with a small amount of sand may help in seed distribution. For spring planting, mix the seed with moist sand and store it in the refrigerator for 60 days before planting. To start indoors, sow seeds in a flat, keeping the soil lightly moist and at a temperature of 65-70 degrees F until germination, which will be slow and irregular. germination can take anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of months. Transplant seedlings outdoors as soon as they can safely be handled. After blooming, this plant will produce a small pod that eventually splits to explosively release its small black seeds. To save the seeds, either bag the ripening pods with small pieces of fabric to capture the falling seed or remove the pods just before they split. Spread the pods out to dry, keeping in mind that they will need to be covered since they may still split to release their seeds. Store the cleaned seed in a cool, dry place. 1) https://www.everwilde.com/store/Hypoxis-hirsuta-WildFlower-Seed.html 2) https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-hypoxis-hirsuta/

About the Region

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our fall Symposium host chapter, the Tonkawa Chapter, includes both of these ecoregions.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason