Hypoxis hemerocallidea Fisch., C.A. Mey. & Avé-Lall.

Hypoxis hemerocallidea

Family: HYPOXIDACEAE
Genus: Hypoxis
Species: hemerocallidea Fisch., C.A. Mey. & Avé-Lall.
Common names: African Star Grass, African Potato
Distribution summary: Southern Africa
Hardiness: H2 - Tender; cool or frost-free greenhouse
Habitat: Dry grassland,scrub, meadows, open woodland, roadsides
Garden status: Currently grown
Garden location: Southern Hemisphere Wolfson bed (N), Arid zones (Q)
Reason for growing: Medicinal

Additional Notes

Traditionally taken as a general tonic, a phytosterol has now been isolated for treatment of prostate problems.

Widely used in traditional Muthi medicine, Hypoxis is important commercially as the source of extracts used in prostate preparations and tonics. Clinical research is on going into its anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-convulsant and anti-cancer activities

Van Wyk, B.E., Van Oudtshoorn, B Gericke, N. (2000). Medicinal Plants of South Africa, Briza Publications. 2nd ed

Called 'African potato' in South Africa.

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