Star-of-Bethlehem

Ornithogalum umbellatum L.

Liliaceae (Lily Family)

▲ ▼   mature, flowering plants

▲ flower

▲ flower arrangement, buds

Star-of-Bethlehem:  

               ·         European native, bulbous perennial that produces showy, white, 6-petalled flowers that are 1-1.5 inches diameter in mid to late spring

               ·         Grows 4-12 inches tall, with dark-green, linear leaves; flowers on open clusters at top of leafless stems

               ·         Planted as ornamental, but can reseed to pastures, roadsides, fields

               ·         All parts of plant are toxic to people/livestock

               ·         Difficult to control due to short time of emergence

                   ·         Can be distinguished from false garlic, which has no prominent midvein, and smaller, creamy white to pale yellow flowers

                   ·         Can be distinguishd from wild garlic by the more flattened leaves, distinct white midvein and lack of garlic odor in Star-of-Bethlehem