Rhodohypoxis is a very short, winter-dormant genus of six species with tuberous rhizomes from the summer rainfall area of South Africa in the Hypoxidaceae family. Four of the species are confined to the Drakensberg and Lesotho plateau and since they bloom at approximately the same time there could be intergrades between species. There are many named cultivars.
×Rhodoxis is the name used to designate hybrids between Rhodohypoxis and Hypoxis species.
Rhodohypoxis baurii is the most common species. It forms carpets in grassland and rocky places up to 2900m. Leaves are dull green with sparse long hairs and a midrib grooved to the tip. Flowers are white to pink to red and faintly scented. The first photo taken April 2004 by Lee Poulsen is an example of a darker pink variety that came to him with the label "Deep Pink". The second by Mary Sue Ittner is a lighter pink form. Photos three through six were taken by Cameron McMaster and Bob Rutemoeller near Maclear and at Naude's Nek.
Photos taken from Mary Sue Ittner and Bob Rutemoeller at Naude's Nek January 2010 are probably Rhodohypoxis baurii, but we also saw Rhodohypoxis rubella and it is difficult to tell them apart from the photos. They also could be intergrades between the two. The first photos illustrate the habitats they were growing in:
The photos below show close-ups of flowers and leaves:
Rhodohypoxis baurii var. baurii grows from 5 to 10 cm. and is found from 1100 to 2700m.
Rhodohypoxis baurii var. confecta grows from 3 to 5 cm. and is found on damp grassy slopes, among outcropping rocks at 1900 to 2900m. Flowers are pink or white with some red.
Rhodohypoxis baurii var platypetala is found in short dry rocky grassland. It has mostly white flowers, occasionally pink. The first photo is a close-up of the white flowers tinged pink. Other photos from subsequent years show a greater flower display as the plants multiplied. Photos from Mary Sue Ittner.
Rhodohypoxis deflexa is another small species growing to 5 cm found in the Drakensberg where it grows in marshy turf from 2700 to 3250m. It has spreading leaves held nearly horizontally above the ground and small light to dark pink flowers.
Rhodohypoxis incompta is a rare short species (1 to 5 cm) from the Drakensberg with large flowers. It is found on the edges of tussocks bordering silt patches, rock sheets at 2300 to 2900 m. It is similar to Rhodohypoxis rubella and blooms November to January.
Rhodohypoxis milloides is found in marshes from the Eastern Cape to KwaZulu-Natal from 1500 to 2450 meters. It has bright green hairless leaves with a midrib not grooved to the tip and deep pink to deep red flowers. It grows to 15 cm tall.
Rhodohypoxis rubella is a dainty grasslike species growing up to 3 cm tall. It is found in shallow pools and seasonally flooded silt patches, mostly on the summit in the Drakensberg Mountains (2400 to 3300m). Leaves are wiry, developing after flowering and the bright pink flowers are small.
