Star of Bethlehem

At this time of the year the Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum umbellatum) is scattered in patches all over the holding. They look particularly attractive in the dappled shared of a big oak tree (yet to break into leaf) where the whiteness of the stars stand out. Close up, in the centre of the six white petals arranged as a star, is a bright yellow cluster of stamens. Like the Lesser Celandine the flowers close up when the sun disappears.

The Star of Bethlehem is native to the Middle East and Europe and in the UK, possibly to the sandy soils of East Anglia. However, as it is also sold as a garden plant it could more often be the case that it is a garden escapee that has naturalised in the wild. It is a bulbous plant and it produces, with some vigour, numerous small bulbils that develop into mature plants. As a result it spreads very easily and can be quite invasive if not kept under control. Where there is the space, however, it is nice to leave it to its own devices.

Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum umbellatum)