If you would like to support this site, please consider Donating.
Useful Temperate Plants

Hypoxis longifolia

Baker

Hypoxidaceae

+ Synonyms

Common Name:

No Image.

General Information

Hypoxis longifolia is a slender, herbaceous perenial plant producing a cluster of 4 - 8 grass-like leaves from a corm-like tuber; it can grow around 15 - 40cm tall
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine.
The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2020)[
1925
Title
Diversity and Conservation Through Cultivation of Hypoxis in Africa - A Case Study of Hypoxis hemerocallidea
Publication
Diversity 2020, 12, 122;
Author
Mofokeng M.M. et al
Website
http://10.3390/d12040122
Publisher
 
Year
2020
ISBN
 
Description
 
].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

1928
Title
A Flora of the Eastern Cape Province Volume 1-3
Publication
Strelitzia 41
Author
Bredenkamp C.L.
Publisher
South African National Biodiversity Institute; Pretoria
Year
2019
ISBN
978-1-928224-28-0
Description
 

Range

Southern Afica - eastern S. Africa

Habitat

Grassy slopes and rocky outcropa, grassland, savannah; at elevations up to 700 metres[
1928
Title
A Flora of the Eastern Cape Province Volume 1-3
Publication
Strelitzia 41
Author
Bredenkamp C.L.
Publisher
South African National Biodiversity Institute; Pretoria
Year
2019
ISBN
978-1-928224-28-0
Description
 
].

Properties

Conservation StatusLeast Concern
Medicinal Rating *  *
HabitPerennial
Height0.30 m
PollinatorsInsects
Cultivation StatusWild

Cultivation Details

Hypoxis longifolia is found mainly near the coast of eastern S. Africa, extending inland to elevations of up to 700 metres. The climate is subtropical, with little or no frost near the coast and a rainfall of up to 1,000mm falling mainly in the summer with some all year round. Further inland, and at higher elevations, frosts become more frequent, with less rainfall and dry winters[
1928
Title
A Flora of the Eastern Cape Province Volume 1-3
Publication
Strelitzia 41
Author
Bredenkamp C.L.
Publisher
South African National Biodiversity Institute; Pretoria
Year
2019
ISBN
978-1-928224-28-0
Description
 
].
Species in this genus generally require a light, freely draining soil and a position in full sun or light shade[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
Hypoxis species greatly resent root disturbance, plants should be placed in their permanent positions as soon as possible and left ndisturbed for as long as possible[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The tuber is used in the treatment of gynaecolgical and obstetric disorders[
1925
Title
Diversity and Conservation Through Cultivation of Hypoxis in Africa - A Case Study of Hypoxis hemerocallidea
Publication
Diversity 2020, 12, 122;
Author
Mofokeng M.M. et al
Website
http://10.3390/d12040122
Publisher
 
Year
2020
ISBN
 
Description
 
].
A decoction of the chopped corm is used in the treatment of menorrhagia[
1927
Title
Traditional herbal remedies used by women in a rural community in northern Maputaland (South Africa) for the treatme
Publication
South African Journal of Botany 94 (2014) 129-139
Author
H. de Wet & S.C. Ngubane
Website
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2014.06.009
Publisher
 
Year
2014
ISBN
 
Description
 
]

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe[
295
Title
PlantZAfrica.com
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.plantzafrica.com
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent site giving detailed descriptions and uses of many S. African plants.
].
Division.
Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2024-12-13. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Hypoxis+longifolia>

Add a Comment:

If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.