"Red star "

Description

Rhodohypoxis baurii, the red star or rosy posy, is a species of flowering plant in the family Hypoxidae that is native to damp meadows in eastern South Africa. Growing to no more than 10 cm (3.9 in) tall and broad, it is a herbaceous perennial with lanceolate, sharply folded, hairy grey-green leaves, and pale or deep pink star-shaped flowers throughout summer. The upturned flowers are held on slender, short straight stalks. The tepals are of equal length and held alternately in two ranks. The specific epithet baurii is named for Reverend L. R. Baur (1825-1889), who collected Rhodohypoxis in South Africa. It prefers a peaty, acid soil which stays reliably moist in summer but dries out in winter to ensure a suitable dormant period. The necessary conditions may be achieved in a pot or trough, or by planting it in peat pockets. Propagation is by seed or division. Many cultivars have been developed for ornamental garden use. Most are larger-flowered and more vigorous than the species. Cultivar names include ‘Apple Blossom’, ‘Dawn’, ‘Emily Peel’ and ‘Susan Garnett-Bottfield’. Rhodohypoxis is a small genus of tuberous flowering plants in the family Hypoxidaceae, native to southern Africa (South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland). The small flowers, no more than 15 cm (6 in) high, are constructed so that their centres are not visible. Some species are in cultivation. Rhodohypoxis species grow from small tubers. They flower in the summer and die down in the winter. When in flower, they are typically 2–15 cm (0.8–5.9 in) tall. The flowers are white, pink or red; the bases of the tepals bend inwards, so that the stamens and ovary are not visible. Rhodohypoxis species are found in the eastern part of southern Africa, particularly in the Drakensberg mountains in the province of KwaZulu-Natal and Lesotho. This is a region of summer rainfall with relatively dry winters. Rhodohypoxis baurii is not uncommon in cultivation. It is not reliably frost hardy, so is often grown in pots, protected in the winter. Various colour forms are available under cultivar names, e.g. 'Ruth' (pure white), 'Allbrighton' (pink) and 'Douglas' (red). Some other species, such as R. milloides, and hybrids with Hypoxis species are also grown.