Star-of-Bethlehem

Ornithogalum umbellatum L.

Liliaceae (Lily Family)

▲ ▼ mature, flowering plants

▲ flower

▲ flower arrangement, buds

Star-of-Bethlehem:

European native, bulbous perennial that produces showy, white, 6-petalled flowers that are 1-1.5 inches diameter in mid to late spring
Grows 4-12 inches tall, with dark-green, linear leaves; flowers on open clusters at top of leafless stems
Planted as ornamental, but can reseed to pastures, roadsides, fields
All parts of plant are toxic to people/livestock
Difficult to control due to short time of emergence
Can be distinguished from false garlic, which has no prominent midvein, and smaller, creamy white to pale yellow flowers
Can be distinguished from wild garlic by the more flattened leaves, distinct white midvein and lack of garlic odor in Star-of-Bethlehem