Bloomeria crocea Golden Stars, Common goldenstar PFAF Plant Database

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Summary

Taxonomic Note: This genus was formerly classified in the family Alliaceae. Modern classifications include it within the Amaryllidaceae.

Physical Characteristics

Bloomeria crocea is a BULB growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.1 m (0ft 4in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in flower from May to June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Nothoscordum aureum.

Plant Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root
Edible Uses:

Bulb[177]. It can be eaten raw at any time of the year[257].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

None known

References More on Medicinal Uses

Other Uses

The bulbs can be rubbed on metate into an adhesive and spread on seed gathering baskets to close the interstices[257]. 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

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a well-drained rich sandy loam and a warm position[1, 138]. Likes plenty of moisture when in growth[200], but plants should be kept quite dry from when the foliage dies down until the autumn[138]. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[200]. This genus is closely related to Brodiaea and Nothoscordum species[1, 200].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

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Plant 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[134]. 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[134] before planting them out in the autumn when they are dormant. Division of flowering size offsets in the autumn. They are freely produced[200]. 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 Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (California)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it's worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

IUCN Red List

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Bloomeria aurea	Golden Stars, Common goldenstar	Bulb	0.5	7-10		LM	N	M	1	0

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

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Expert comment

Author

(Torr.)Coville.

Botanical References

71200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment


Erik Johnson	Wed Aug 11 20:37:41 2004

metate is short for "mano y metate," which is used the same way as a mortar and pestle (the shape is usually more like a saddle or shallow basin)--this was probably clear from context anyway


Maxine Clark	Sat Feb 3 2007

A metate is a mexican grinding stone - it would have been used to grind the bulb unto a pulp for use as an adhesive.

Bloomeria crocea - (Torr.)Coville.