Star-of-Bethlehem
Common Name:
Star-of-Bethlehem
Scientific Name:
Ornithogalum umbellatum
Family:
Liliaceae
Lifecycle:
Perennial
Features
Perennial non-grass monocot. Clump-like growth habit. Produces perennial bulb with axillary bulbs produced along a central axis. Leaves green, linear often with a central white mid-rib. Leaves also often appear succulent. Flowers are radially symmetrical with six white petals. Petals are linear to lanceolate in shape and white on both upper and lower surface. In the center of each flower are six stamens on elongated filaments.
Description
Bulbous perennial plant with primary growth period in winter season. Present more in dormant warm-season turfgrass or thin cool-season turfgrass. Flowering can be sporadic and difficult to predict. Plant can look similar to clumping perennial ryegrass at first appearance, but star-of-Bethlehem has glossy, succulent leaves not having distinct veins. Very similar to spring starflower as well. Star-of-Bethlehem has a more prominent white mid-rib and a central fold of the leaf.