Hypoxis hirsuta

Yellow Star Grass
or goldstar is a dainty wildflower, easily overlooked, except when it's in bloom. It rarely exceeds 6" in height. The generic name Hypoxis is from the Greek hypoxys, "somewhat acid," and the specific epithet hirsuta means "stiffly hairy" in botanical Latin.

Description: This small native perennial plant consists of a rosette of slender basal leaves and shorter flowering stems. The linear basal leaves are up to 1' tall and ½" across. They have scattered white hairs. The flowering stems are up to 8" tall, and have scattered white hairs as well. Each of these stems terminates in a rather loose umbel of two or more yellow flowers. A flower is about ¾" across and consists of 6 tepals that spread outward. In the center, a yellow pistil is surrounded by 6 stigmas with prominent yellow anthers. Each anther is shaped like an upside-down V. The blooming period occurs from mid-spring to early summer and lasts about a month. Sometimes there is a mild floral fragrance. Each seed capsule splits open irregularly, releasing several glossy black seeds that are covered with concentric rows of wart-like projections. The root system consists of small corms.
Yellow Stargrass in Prairie
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, and moist to slightly dry conditions. The soil can contain loam or some rocky material. This plant is not usually bothered by foliar disease during the period of active growth. It can spread to form loose colonies, but is not particularly aggressive.

Range & Habitat: While it is widely distributed, this plant is not particularly common in any given locality. Habitats include mesic black soil prairies, hill prairies, savannas, open woodlands and paths through woodlands, fens, sandstone glades, abandoned fields, and lawns. Like Claytonia virginica (Spring Beauty), Yellow Star Grass can spread into lawns if mowing is delayed until late in the spring. Fidelity to any particular habitat is low.

Faunal Associations: The flowers attract small bees primarily, including Little Carpenter bees, Mason bees, and Halicitine bees. These insects collect pollen and are usually females. Other insect visitors include Syrphid flies and beetles, which feed on pollen. Cross-pollination is required for fertile seeds. Small rodents occasionally eat the corms; otherwise, little information is available regarding this plant's relationships to other fauna.

not native to FL found in 8b. more.