Hypoxis Species, Shiny Iris-Leaf Stargrass

[This review includes 1)descriptions based upon the plants that I have that were labeled as H. nitida & 2)recent info regarding records m...Read Moreodified for H. obtusa syn. H. villosa var. obtusa. My thought that this would be helpful as I have found pics on Google labeled as H. villosa that actually look more like my plants than those shown in DG Plant Files]

(1) An intriguing and over-looked caudiciform/bulbous plant. Have had for many years as a container plant which does very well. Responds like other So. African bulbous plants ie. Rain Lilies to wet/dry conditions. Can be kept moist in well drained, gritty soil for nearly non-stop bloom here in zone 10A. When dry it goes dormant at which time the bulbous rhizomes can be separated.

The name AFRICAN POTATO given to a similar species is appropriate to the large rounded bulbous rhizome that is noted for its medicinal qualities.

REMARKABLE AND UNUSUAL GARDEN WORTHY CHARACTERISTICS OF THIS PLANT:
Growth is incredibly triangular. Instead of spiraling triangular growth as in plants like the sedges (Carex, Cyperus etc.) the growth of each set of new leaves from each bulbous rhizome is strictly as an equilateral triangle!

The emergence of the flower panicle is completely predictable when in the flowering mode: With each set of three leaves there also emerges a new flowering stem!

The branching of the panicle also has a “tendency" to be in “threes”.

The “type” that I currently am describing tends towards lax flowering stems which I kind of like over something strictly vertical.

The flowers of this “type” are more loosely displayed than those in the photo album here and are more “star-like” reminiscent of Sisyrinchium californicum YELLOW EYED GRASS (totally different family of plants but also is adapted to grasslands) with a rich, vibrant yellow.

I have yet to plant in one of my meadow gardens which is exactly the conditions it comes from in the wild grasslands of So. Africa. (as with many other So. African bulbs)

In pots- does not multiply as rapidly unless given rich moist soil. Care must be taken to prevent rot on the lower portions of the rhizome in a "semi-composted" soil mix. Drier, leaner conditions seem to promote flowering.

I am utterly confused as to species identification. There are 70+ species of Hypoxis native to So. Africa and a significant number native to other places in the southern hemisphere. The Hypoxis obtusa/nitida/iridifolia sps. has a "complex" of different types which may vary in things like leaf pubescence, breadth of leaf and flowering. The key for me is in the common name: SHINY LEAF STARGRASS. Indeed there is less pubescence than other similar species.

Note here that my plants (originally labeled as H. nitida) have a strongly pubescent edge of the leaves which give it a distinctly whitish line along the leaf. Also the undersides of the leaves are slightly more pubescent than the "shiny green" upper sides.

For me there has been a slowly developing romance with this plant! Not dramatic or showy as other bulbs but with its ease and adaptability for various garden conditions and its unique behaviour it deserves a place in many gardens or even as potted plants.

(2) [email sent to an administrator at DG]
Hi!
I do not know how else to do this so I am contacting you here. There is new info about Hypoxis obtusa. New entries have been made concerning H. villosa var. obtusa as being a synonym of H. obtusa. I have been trying to ID my Hypoxis through the web and found the following link:
http://www.gbif.org/species/2852937
This record was last modified Feb. 14 2017.
I observed numerous pics on google labeled as H. villosa some of which look more closely like plants I have (that were labeled as H. nitida) than most of the other pics for H. obtusa! (Including those in the DG Plant Files.)
I have added my review of Hypoxis obtusa in the plant files explaining my plants in more detail. Pics will be forth-coming as soon as my camera is functional!
Just in case I am barking up the wrong tree I will also post this as a review under H. obtusa in DG Plant Files.
Sincerely,
natureguyfrog