Ornithogalum umbellatum
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| Ornithogalum umbellatum | ||||||||||||||
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| Ornithogalum umbellatum L. |
Ornithogalum umbellatum (Star-of-Bethlehem, Grass Lily), is a perennial bulbous flowering plant of the family Hyacinthaceae. It is 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]
[edit] 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 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]
[edit] Cultivation
O. umbellatum require a lot of moisture during winter & spring, but tolerate summer droughtiness. It can be grown in the woodland garden. Semi-shade is preferable. It is hardy to hardiness zone 5, and can become weedy. The plant is toxic. Used in some herbal remedies.[5][6]
 Green stripe on back side (outside) of flower petals |
 O. umbellatum has thin, string-like foliage |
[edit] References
- ^ Euro+Med Plantbase: Ornithogalum umbellatum
- ^ Ornithogalum umbellatum Linnaeus. Flora of North America.
- ^ Flora of NW Europe: Ornithogalum umbellatum
- ^ Blamey, M. & Grey-Wilson, C. (1989). Flora of Britain and Northern Europe. ISBN 0-340-40170-2.
- ^ Huxley, A., ed. (1992). New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. Macmillan ISBN 0-333-47494-5.
- ^ Purdue University vet school toxicity description
