Hypoxis hirsuta
Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 5: 118. 1894.
Leaves (1–)2–5(–15) mm wide, soft, flexible, essentially glabrous or sparsely to densely pubescent. Scape (4–)5–17(–25) cm. Inflorescences umbellate, 1–5(–7)-flowered; proximal 2 flowers, when present, always paired; bracts (1–)2–10(–17) mm. Flowers: tepals (3–)6–10(–17) × 2–4 (–5) mm, shorter than pedicel, much longer than ovary; anthers 1.5–3.5(–4) mm; ovary obconic, (1–)2–4 × (1–)2–4 mm, densely pubescent; pedicel (6–)9–25(–30) mm, usually 2+ times longer than bracts. Seeds black, lustrous, (0.9–)1–1.5(–1.7) mm, coarsely muricate.
Phenology: Flowering spring–summer.
Habitat: Wet to dry woodlands and prairies
Elevation: 0–1700 m
Distribution
Man., Ont., Sask., Ala., Ark., Colo., Conn., Del., D.C., Ga., Ill., Ind., Iowa, Kans., Ky., La., Maine, Md., Mass., Mich., Minn., Miss., Mo., Nebr., N.H., N.J., N.Y., N.C., N.Dak., Ohio, Okla., Pa., R.I., S.C., S.Dak., Tenn., Tex., Vt., Va., W.Va., Wis.
Discussion
Very rarely, specimens of Hypoxis hirsuta have cylindrical ovaries and/or bracts nearly equaling the pedicels. These specimens are recognized by the umbelliform inflorescence typical of H. hirsuta. The condition appears to be pathological and is associated with a lack of seed development.
Selected References
None.