Star of Bethlehem
Ornithogalum narbonense

Family: Asparagaceae

What it is like

A bulb plant. It grows 60-90 cm high and spreads 60-120 cm wide. The leaves are very narrow. They are 80 cm long. The flower stems are 90 cm tall. The flowers are small and in heads. They are white with a fine green stripe in the centre.

There are about 80 Ornithogalum species. Also put in the family Liliaceae and Hyacinthaceae.

Where it is found

It is a Mediterranean climate plant. It suits hardiness zones 7-10.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Europe, Greece, Iran, Italy, Mediterranean, Middle East, Slovenia, Turkey, Türkiye

How it is used for food

The bulbs are added to ice cream and other dairy foods. They are eaten raw. The leaves and bulbs are eaten as a vegetable. The leaves are eaten raw in salads and also cooked.

Edible parts

Root, bulb, leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Akbandir

Synonyms

Eremus iranicus Parsa; Loncomelos narbonense (L.) Raf.; and several others