Kingdom Plantae Clade Monocots Family Asparagaceae Scientific name Ornithogalum umbellatum Rank Species | Clade Angiosperms Order Asparagales Subfamily Scilloideae Higher classification Ornithogalum | |
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Similar Ornithogalum, Helianthemum nummularium, Ornithogalum nutans, Centaurium erythraea, Muscari neglectum | ||
Star of bethlehem ornithogalum umbellatum 2012 05 06
Ornithogalum umbellatum, the garden star-of-Bethlehem, grass lily, nap-at-noon, or eleven-o'clock lady, is a perennial bulbous flowering plant, native throughout most of southern and central Europe, north-western Africa and south-western Asia. In North America, it has escaped its cultivation as a garden ornamental and can be found in many areas.
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Description
This plant is perennial with bulbs below ground; the bulb is 15–25 millimetres (0.6–1.0 in) long and 18–32 mm (0.7–1.3 in) in diameter. It has 6–10 leaves, linear with a white line on the upper surface, up to 30 centimetres (12 in) long and 8 mm (0.3 in) broad, and a scape of 10–30 cm (4–12 in). The flowers group in a corymbose raceme with 6–20 flowers, and are white with a green stripe outside.
Cultivation
Ornithogalum umbellatum requires considerable moisture during winter and spring, but can tolerate summer drought. It can be grown in a woodland garden as semi-shade is preferable. It is hardy to hardiness zone 5, and can become weedy. The plant is toxic. It is used in some herbal remedies.
