Ornithogalum / Star of Bethlehem

The genus, Ornithogalum includes many species – about 150 of them – which occur in their natural habitats predominantly on the continents of Africa, Asia and Europe. Ornithogalum are bulbous perennials which can be divided into two groups: those that are winter hardy (Ornithogalum umbellatum, Ornithogalum nutans) and those that are not (Ornithogalum arabicum, Ornithogalum saundersiae and Ornithogalum thyrsoides). They are trouble-free, grow in any soil and naturalize easily. These plants are attractive subjects for woodland gardens, rock gardens and borders. All parts of the plant are poisonous, and contact with the sap may cause skin rashes