Bloomeria crocea
(Torr.) Coville.
Golden stars
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(c) Adam J. Searcy, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Adam J. Searcy
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(c) nathantay, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) nathantay, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Summary
Source: WikipediaBloomeria crocea, also known as goldenstar, is a geophyte from southern California and northern Baja California. It is found along hillsides, in grassland and chaparral edges, and in dry flats.
Description
Bulbous plant growing 30cm tall and 10cm wide, hardy to UK zone 8. Flowers May to June. Hermaphroditic. Grows in light sandy and medium loamy, well-drained soils with mildly acid to basic pH. Requires full sun and prefers moist soil.
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Root Edible Uses: Bulb. It can be eaten raw at any time of the year.
Medicinal Uses
None known
Distribution
It is a temperate plant.
Where It Grows
Australia, North America, USA,
Propagation
Seed - sow as soon as it is ripe or February/March in a well-drained compost in the greenhouse. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 3 months at 15°c. Sow the seed thinly so that it can be grown on in the pot without disturbance for the first year, but apply an occasional liquid feed to ensure the plants do not become nutrient deficient. Pot up the small bulbs when they are dormant, putting 2 - 3 bulbs in each pot, and grow them on in a cold frame for another 2 years before planting them out in the autumn when they are dormant. Division of flowering size offsets in the autumn. They are freely produced. The larger bulbs can be planted straight out into their permanent positions if required, whilst it is best to pot up the smaller bulbs and grow them on for a year in a cold frame before planting them out in the autumn.
Other Uses
The bulbs can be rubbed on metate into an adhesive and spread on seed gathering baskets to close the interstices. No explanation is given of what metate is. There is a bamboo plant with this common name, but it is not native to America. Special Uses
Notes
Also put in the family Alliaceae
References (2)
- Hibbert, M., 2002, The Aussie Plant Finder 2002, Florilegium. p 44
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
