Ornithogalum umbellatum

Ornithogalum umbellatum
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
clade:	Angiosperms
clade:	Monocots
Order:	Asparagales
Family:	Asparagaceae
Subfamily:	Scilloideae
Genus:	Ornithogalum
Species:	O. umbellatum
Binomial name
Ornithogalum umbellatum L.

Distribution Map of Ornithogalum umbellatum

Ornithogalum umbellatum (Star-of-Bethlehem, Grass Lily, Nap-at-Noon, Eleven-o'clock Lady), is a perennial bulbous flowering plant, native throughout most of southern and central Europe (north to Austria and Belgium), and in northwestern Africa and southwestern Asia.^[1] In North America, it has escaped its cultivation as a garden ornamental and can be found in many areas.^[2]

Description

This plant is perennial with bulbs below ground; the bulb is 15-25 mm long and 18-32 mm diameter. It has six to ten leaves, linear with a white line on the upper surface, up to 30 cm long and 8 mm broad, and a scape of 10-30 cm. The flowers group in a corymbose raceme with 6-20 flowers, and are white with a green stripe outside.^[3][4]

Cultivation

O. 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.^{[5][6][dead link]}

Gallery

Plants of Ornithogalum umbellatum

Flowers of Ornithogalum umbellatum

Close-up on a flower of Ornithogalum umbellatum

O. umbellatum has thin, string-like foliage

Green stripes on back side of O. Umbellatum petals

References

1. ^ Euro+Med Plantbase: Ornithogalum umbellatum
2. ^ "Ornithogalum umbellatum Linnaeus". Flora of North America. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=242101813. 
3. ^ Flora of NW Europe: Ornithogalum umbellatum
4. ^ Blamey, M. & Grey-Wilson, C. (1989). Flora of Britain and Northern Europe. ISBN 0-340-40170-2.
5. ^ Huxley, A., ed. (1992). New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. Macmillan ISBN 0-333-47494-5.
6. ^ Purdue University vet school toxicity description