Rhodohypoxis baurii (red star, "Attsuzakura")

Japanese name: アッツザクラ
Scientific name: Rhodohypoxis baurii

[Overview]
A perennial 5–15 cm tall and 15 cm wide.
It has spherical corms 1–1.5 cm across.
The leaves are simple, basal and upright, about 10–15 in number, linear to lanceolate, 5–7 cm long, with long white hairs, and folded in two along the midrib.
Flower stalks extend from the leaf axils and have long white hairs; 1–2 flowers face upward at the stalk tip.
The flowers are 6-petaled, 1–2 cm across, and red, pink or white.
The tepals are fused at the base to form a floral tube; the outer tepals are somewhat wide and hairy on the outside, and the inner tepals are clawed at the base and bend sharply at the throat, closing the mouth of the tube.
The stamens and pistil are very short and cannot be seen from outside.
The fruit is a capsule.

[History]
It was introduced to Japan from England in 1935 by Suzuki Kichigoro.

[Cultivation]
Propagate by dividing the corms.
Varieties that set seed can also be grown from seed, and it also spreads by self-sown seed.
It can overwinter outdoors if it does not freeze, but it will not flower unless the bulbs are exposed to cold, so if bringing it indoors, place it where the temperature does not exceed 10°C.
If lifting the bulbs, store them in moistened sand or similar so they do not dry out, in a cool, dark place where they will not freeze.
It prefers sunny, well-drained, slightly acidic soil.
Soil for mountain and wild plants may also be used.
It dislikes heat and humidity, and winter frost and freezing.
Take care not to make it too wet; for potted plants, water thoroughly after the soil dries from spring to autumn, and during dormancy water just enough that the soil does not dry out completely.
For plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient.
If basal fertilizer is applied, no further fertilizing is particularly needed, but for potted plants slow-release fertilizer may be placed on the soil while watching the plant's condition.
There are no particular pests or diseases.

[Notes]
The name has no relation to Attu Island in the Aleutian Islands.

View this page in Japanese (日本語)