Definition

1. Noun:
   • A type of perennial Australian grass: A grass characterized by having many long spikes that radiate outwards, resembling the blades of a windmill.
   • A trailing grass species: A low-growing grass originally from Europe but now found in warm regions worldwide, commonly used for lawns and pasture.
   • A plant of the genus Hypoxis: Any of various plants with long, narrow leaves resembling grass and bright yellow, star-shaped flowers, native to several continents including Africa and North America.
   • A plant of the genus Aletris: Any of several perennial plants with grass-like leaves and roots traditionally used as a bitter tonic, reputed to treat digestive ailments like colic.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The field was covered in star grass, its windmill-like seed heads catching the light.
  • For a durable lawn in this climate, many landscapers recommend planting star grass.
  • We identified the small yellow flower growing near the path as a type of star grass (Hypoxis).
  • Some herbalists have historically used the bitter star grass (Aletris) in remedies.

Advanced Usage

• As a common name: The term "star grass" is a common name applied to several distinct plant genera due to visual characteristics (star-shaped flowers or seed heads) or grass-like leaves. The specific plant must often be determined by context or scientific name.
  • While both are called star grass, plants in the genus Aletris are not closely related to those in Hypoxis.

Variants and Related Words

• Windmill grass: A common name that can refer to the Australian due to the shape of its seed head.
• Crow poison: A common name sometimes used for certain species, also referred to as star grass.
• Hypoxis: The botanical genus for one group of plants commonly called star grass.
• Aletris: The botanical genus for another group of plants commonly called star grass or colic root.

Synonyms

• Botanical names: For precise identification, the scientific genus names (, , or others like for the trailing grass) are used as specific synonyms.
• Common descriptors: Grass-like perennial, medicinal herb (for ), lawn grass (for the trailing species).

Related Phrases

• "Star grass lawn": A lawn specifically planted with the trailing, turf-forming type of star grass.
  • The star grass lawn remained green throughout the dry season.
• "Yellow star grass": A frequent descriptor for the species due to its flower color.
  • A patch of yellow star grass bloomed at the edge of the woods.

Noun

1. perennial Australian grass having numerous long spikes arranged like the vanes of a windmill
2. trailing grass native to Europe now cosmopolitan in warm regions; used for lawns and pastures especially in southern United States and India
3. any plant of the genus Hypoxis having long grasslike leaves and yellow star-shaped flowers: Africa; Australia; southern Asia; North America
4. any of several perennials of the genus Aletris having grasslike leaves and bitter roots reputed to cure colic