Ornithogalum narbonense
Star Of Bethlehem
a member of the Ornithogalum genus in the family Liliaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Liliaceae
- Genus
- Ornithogalum
- Height
- 0.4 m
- Spread
- 0.15 m
- Fertility
- Insects
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Insects
Uses
Toxicity
Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Although no specific mention of this plant as being toxic has been seen, it belongs to a family where there are some species that are said to be toxic. Caution should be observed. Any toxins are likely to be concentrated in the bulb[3].
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Bulb[5][7][2]. No further details are given, though it is probably cooked before being eaten. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.
- Plant part
- Root
Environment
- Range
- Europe - Mediterranean.
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 7+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[3]. 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[3]. 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.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
An easily grown plant[8], it succeeds in any position[4] in ordinary garden soil[1]. Prefers a sunny position[3]. Succeeds in short grass[8], 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. Plants are hardy to about -10°c[3].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Grey. C. H. Hardy Bulbs. Williams & Norgate. 1938-00-00
Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00
? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964-00-00
Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202
Phillips. R. and Rix. M. Bulbs Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30253-1