Ornithogalum umbellatum L.
star-of-Bethlehem (sleepydick)
Amaryllidaceae (Lily family)
(Previously in Liliaceae)

Introduction to Vascular Plants

Photograph

© David Badke     (Photo ID #74573)


Map

E-Flora BC Static Map

Distribution of Ornithogalum umbellatum
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Species Information

General:
Perennial herb from an egg-shaped bulb about 2.5 cm long, usually with bulblets; flowering stems 10-30 cm tall, smooth.
Leaves:
Basal leaves few to several, linear and grass-like, limp, 15-30 cm long, 5-6 mm wide, green, grooved, with a central white stripe, smooth, the margins entire; stem leaves lacking.
Flowers:
Inflorescence a somewhat flat-topped, umbel-like, terminal cluster of 5 to 15, stalked flowers, the stalks 4-10 cm long, ascending; flowers white striped with green on the outside, star-shaped, of 6 similar, distinct tepals, the tepals oblong-lanceolate, 1.5-2 cm long; stamens 6, shorter than the flowers; pistil 1, 3-chambered.
Fruits:
Capsules, egg-shaped, 6-angled, 1-1.5 cm long; seeds several to numerous, black.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

Illustration

If more than one illustration is available for a species (e.g., separate illustrations were provided for two subspecies) then links to the separate images will be provided below. Note that individual subspecies or varietal illustrations are not always available.

Habitat and Range

Mesic to dry roadsides, fields and waste places in the lowland zone; rare garden escape, but apparently re-seeding and established on S Vancouver Island and the adjacent mainland; introduced from Europe.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia