Ornithogalum nutans
| Ornithogalum nutans | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Asparagaceae |
| Subfamily: | Scilloideae |
| Genus: | Ornithogalum |
| Species: | O. nutans |
| Binomial name | |
| Ornithogalum nutans | |
Ornithogalum nutans (drooping star of Bethlehem) is a species of flowering plant in the family Asparagaceae, native to Europe and South West Asia. It is a bulbous perennial growing to 20–60 cm (8–24 in) tall by 5 cm (2 in) wide, with strap-shaped leaves and green striped, pendent grey-white flowers in spring.[1] It is cultivated, and has naturalized, outside its native range, for example in North America.[2][3] It has become extremely invasive along the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal in Maryland. At least in North America, it is not as common as Ornithogalum umbellatum.[2]
The specific epithet nutans means "nodding", referring to the flowers' slightly drooping habit.[4]
O. nutans is hardy to USDA Zones 6-10.[5] It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[6]
References
- ↑ RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 1405332964.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Ornithogalum nutans Linnaeus". Flora of North America.
- ↑ "Ornithogalum nutans Linnaeus". Flora of Missouri.
- ↑ Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. p. 224. ISBN 9781845337315.
- ↑ Easy to grow Bulbs: Ornithogalum nutans
- ↑ "RHS Plant Selector - Ornithogalum nutans". Retrieved 25 May 2013.