Hypoxis hemerocallidea

African Potato / Starflower

Hypoxis hemerocallidea, commonly known as the African potato or starflower, is a tuberous perennial widely distributed across Southern Africa. Despite its common name, it is not related to the potato. The Zulu people call it ‘inongwe’ and use the corms (underground storage organs) for urinary tract infections, prostate hyperplasia, immune support, and as a general tonic.

The bright yellow star-shaped flowers appear from spring to summer. The corm is rich in hypoxoside — a sterol glycoside that converts to the active aglycone rooperol upon ingestion — as well as sterolins and phytosterols. Rooperol demonstrates anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. Hypoxis is one of the most traded medicinal plants in Southern African markets.

Chemical Constituents

Hypoxoside, rooperol, phytosterols, sterolins, mucopolysaccharides, flavonoids.

Conservation Status

Overharvesting from the wild has placed pressure on natural populations. Cultivation programmes in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga aim to ensure sustainable supply.