Images
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Morphology
- Stem
- Flowering stems from solid bulb, slender, ascending to spreading, usually shorter than leaves, hairy.
- Leaves
- Basal, grass-like; blades 3-6, linear, 2 to 12 inches long, to 1/4 inch wide, long-hairy.
- Inflorescence
- Umbel, 2-14 flowered, ascending to spreading.
- Flower
- Golden yellow, 1/2 to 1 inch wide; perianth segments 6, stiffly spreading, partially united, each 1/4 to 1/2 inch long, 1/10 to 1/4 inch wide; outer surface greenish, pubescent; inner surface golden yellow; stamens 6, erect.
- Fruit
- Capsule, small, oval, somewhat hairy; seeds several, rough, black.
Ecology
- Habitat
- Moist to dry prairies and occasionally open deciduous woods; often in soils with high lime content.
- Distribution
- East 1/2 of Kansas.
- Reproduction
- None
Practical Information
- Toxicity
- None
- Forage Value
- None
- Uses
- Native Americans used a tea made from stargrass as a heart medicine. Preparations made from the bulb-like root have been used to treat ulcers.
Additional Notes
Comments
The common name refers to the star-like flowers and grass-like leaves. Usually only one or two flowers open at a time. Yellow star grass was traditionally listed in Liliaceae or Amaryllidaceae but is only distantly related to members of those families.
Special Notes: None
Quick Facts
- Plant Type
- Wildflower
- Family
- Hypoxidaceae - Star Grass Family
- Life Span
- Perennial
- Height
- 2-12 inches
- Origin
- Native
- Last Updated
- 2026-01-17
Color Groups
Yellow Wildflowers
Flowering Period
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Blooms: May, June, July