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ornithogalum umbellatum - L.

Common Name Star Of Bethlehem, Dove's Dung
Family Liliaceae
USDA hardiness 6-9
Known Hazards Skin contact with the bulb can cause dermatitis in sensitive people[65]. The bulb contains alkaloids and is poisonous[2, 62]. Another report says that the bulb is poisonous to grazing animals[183].
Habitats Grassy places in eastern England[5, 17].
Range Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to the Mediterranean.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
ornithogalum umbellatum Star Of Bethlehem, Dove


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ornithogalum umbellatum Star Of Bethlehem, Dove
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Summary

Bloom Color: White. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Late spring. Form: Upright or erect.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of bulb
ornithogalum umbellatum is a BULB growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower from April to May, and the seeds ripen from June to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

 Meadow; Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers  Root
Edible Uses:

Bulb - raw or cooked[2, 5, 46, 61, 183]. The bulbs can be dried and ground into a powder[207]. Whilst the bulbs are palatable and wholesome according to some reports[2, 4, 115], some caution is advised. See the notes above on toxicity. Flowers - baked in bread[183].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Bach

A homeopathic remedy is made from the bulbs[4]. It is useful in the treatment of certain forms of cancer[4]. The plant is used in Bach flower remedies - the keywords for prescribing it are 'After effect of shock, mental or physical'[209]. It is also one of the five ingredients in the 'Rescue remedy'[209].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Border, Container, Woodland garden. An easily grown plant, succeeding in an ordinary garden soil[1, 42]. Tolerates partial shade[200]. Hardy to about -20°c[200]. The dormant bulbs are very hardy and will withstand soil temperatures down to at least -10°c[214]. A very ornamental plant[1], but it can be invasive where conditions suit it[200]. It can be naturalized in short turf or thin grass below shrubs[200], though this should not be mown from the time the bulbs start to grow until they have set seed and the leaves are dying down. Special Features:Not North American native, Invasive, Naturalizing, Suitable for cut flowers.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[200]. Sow the seed thinly and leave the seedlings undisturbed in the pots for their first dormancy, but apply liquid feed at intervals, especially in their second year of growth. Divide the bulbs at the end of their second year of growth, putting 2 - 3 bulbs in each pot. Grow them on for one more year and them plant them out into their permanent positions whilst they are dormant. The seed can also be sown in a cold frame in early spring. Division of offsets in September/October[200]. The larger bulbs can be replanted immediately into their permanent positions. It is best to pot up the smaller bulbs and grow them on for a year before planting them out when dormant in late summer.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Ornithogalum narbonenseStar Of BethlehemBulb0.4 6-9  LMHSNM10 
Ornithogalum pyrenaicumBath Asparagus, Pyrenees star of BethlehemBulb0.6 5-9  LMHSNM20 
Ornithogalum umbellatumStar Of Bethlehem, Dove's DungBulb0.3 6-9 FLMHSNM310

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

17200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Riccardo Boeri   Sun May 6 2007

Poisonous plant This site say that "Bulbs are NOT EDIBLE contrary to some sources."

Doris Barnard   Sat Nov 15 2008

I have taken the Bach rescue pastilles for a week to help IBS, and whether it is a placebo effect or not, my symptoms which I think were of nervous origin, have disappeared. DB Scotland.

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