Bethlehem star
Quick Summary
The Bethlehem star is a plant belonging to the genus Ornithogalum, which comprises about 100 species of bulbous herbs native to Eurasia and Africa. These plants are known for their attractive, star-shaped flowers, which can be white or yellow. The leaves are typically narrow and grass-like, emerging from an underground bulb. The flowers are borne in clusters on a leafless stalk, with each flower having a bract beneath it.1
Two common species are Ornithogalum umbellatum, also known as the star-of-Bethlehem, and Ornithogalum arabicum. Both are cultivated as garden ornamentals. The star-of-Bethlehem (O. umbellatum) is particularly noted for its white, star-shaped flowers and has naturalized in the eastern United States. Some species within this genus can spread aggressively through bulbils.12
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