Common Star of Bethlehem
Ornithogalum umbellatum
Family: Asparagaceae
What it is like
A bulb plant. It grows 15-30 cm high and 8-10 cm wide. Normally there are several offsets forming tufts of leaves around the parent plant. The leaves are very narrow. They are 30 cm long. The leaves have a central silver stripe. The stout stems have numerous starry white flowers. They are tinted green at the centre. They have a green stripe on the back. The fruit is a capsule with 6 equal angles. The bulbs are very white. The bulbs are edible.
There are about 80 Ornithogalum species. A famine food cited in the Hebrew Old Testament (II Kings 6:25). It can become invasive. Also put in the family Liliaceae and Hyacinthaceae.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It is frost hardy. It suits hardiness zones 5-10. Tasmanian Herbarium.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Australia, Balkans, Bosnia, Britain, Canada, Croatia, Europe, France, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Mediterranean, Middle East, New Zealand, North Africa, North America, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, USA
How it is used for food
The bulbs can be eaten raw or cooked. They are often roasted like chestnuts. Because they contain toxic components they are normally boiled with several changes of water, then eaten. They are crushed and mixed with cereal flour for bread. The flowers have been eaten baked in bread.
It is a famine food.
Edible parts
Roots, bulb, leaves, flowers
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Bird's Milk, Dove's Dung, Pigeon Dung