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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, Moist, Rich, Well Drained

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade, Shade

Water Requirement

Medium

Native Habitat

Grassland, Woodland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Yellow

Bloom Season

Spring

Seasonal Interest

Nectar, Pollen

Wildlife Benefit

Bees, Butterflies

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. 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. Native habitat: open woods, dry to damp prairies and meadows.

Description

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

2026 Fall Symposium Logo

This low-elevations region of Texas extends inland from the barrier islands, about 60 or so miles, and stretches from Brownsville to Louisiana. In total, it covers about 9.5 million acres, with a high point of 150 feet in elevation. More than 1000 species of plants can be found in this region. On the southern end, species more common in Mexico (such as Sabal mexicana) and Central America occur.

The barrier islands provide us with dune systems, and clay flats to the inland side, which have species found in these areas alone. Many plants here, such as Ipomoea pes-caprae (beach morning glory), can be found throughout tropical regions of the globe. I’ve encountered the same species on the beaches of Guam.

Once inland, vast marshes and wet prairies occur. Occasionally, oak (Quercus fusiformis) groves can be found. Common grasses include species of Bothriochloa, Paspalum, and Sporobolus; eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides); and switchgrass (Panicum species). Many rivers and creeks cut through the Gulf Prairies, and along these riparian areas various species of trees, Sabal minor, and other plants adapted to clay soils can be found. Due to overgrazing, farming, and fire suppression, woody species such as mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) and huisache (Acacia farnesiana), and invasive species such as chinaberry (Melia azedarach), Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), and Chinese tallow (Sapium sebiferum) have increased and displaced our native flora.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason