STAR OF BETHLEHEM

Ornithogalum is a genus of perennial plants mostly native to southern Europe and southern Africa belonging to the family Asparagaceae. There are some species native to other areas such as the Caucasus. Growing from a bulb, species have linear basal leaves and a slender stalk, up to 30 cm or more tall, bearing clusters of typically white star-shaped flowers, often striped with green. The common name of the genus, Star-of-Bethlehem, is based on its star-shaped flowers, after the Star of Bethlehem that appeared in the Biblical account of the birth of Jesus.

The cultivar illustrated here is Ornithogalum thyrsoides 'Chesapeake Snowflake'. It is derived from a Southern African species and is a large, robust and showy flower. It makes an excellent cut flower with a vase life of up to two weeks.

This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme.