Hypoxis hemerocallidea, commonly known as African star grass or African potato, is a perennial herb native to grasslands and open savanna ecosystems in southern Africa, including South Africa, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe. It typically forms clumps reaching 10-50 cm in height and width. The plant features narrow, lanceolate leaves and bears bright yellow, star-shaped flowers during the spring and summer months, which are moderately showy. The underground corms are notable for their size and resemblance to potatoes.

African star grass is valued for its traditional medicinal uses and is often cultivated in home gardens for this purpose. It is relatively easy to maintain, requiring minimal water once established and thriving in well-drained soils with full sun to partial shade. While it is not commonly used for ornamental purposes, its bright flowers can add a splash of color to rock gardens or naturalized areas. Gardeners should be cautious when using this plant for medicinal purposes due to its interaction with cytochrome P450 enzymes, which can affect the metabolism of other drugs. There are no significant diseases or pests that commonly affect Hypoxis hemerocallidea, but it should be noted that overharvesting of wild populations for medicinal use is a conservation concern.CC BY-SA 4.0