Ornithogalum nutans |
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drooping star of Bethlehem, nodding star-of-Bethlehem |
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Habit | Plants (15–)30–50(–60) cm; bulbs progressively renewed over 3–4 years, 2–3 × 2.5–3.5 cm; bulblets numerous. |
Leaves | (3–)4–6; blade with white adaxial stripe, 30–60 cm × (3–)5–10(–15) mm. |
Scape | 2–5 dm. |
Inflorescences | racemose, 5–12(–18)-flowered, cylindrical; bracts 3–4 cm. |
Flowers | nodding, especially after anthesis; perianth campanulate; tepals white with wide green abaxial stripe, lanceolate, 20–30 × 9–12 mm, outer 3 slightly gibbous at base, inner 3 slightly wider; stamens: outer 6–8 × 3–4 mm, inner 13–15 × 4–5 mm; filaments 3-dentate, flattened; anthers 3–4 mm; ovary ovoid to subglobose, slightly 6-angled, 5–6 mm; style 5–6 mm; lower pedicels to 1 cm. |
Capsules | broadly ovoid. |
2n | = 45. |
Ornithogalum nutans |
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Phenology | Flowering spring. |
Habitat | Fields, waste places, abandoned gardens |
Elevation | 0–1500 m (0–4900 ft) |
Distribution |
CT; DC; DE; IL; MD; MI; MO; NC; NJ; NY; OH; OR; PA; VA; WV; ON; Europe; sw Asia; expected elsewhere [Introduced in North America]
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Discussion | Though widely cultivated and naturalized, Ornithogalum nutans is not as common as O. umbellatum. (Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.) |
Source | FNA vol. 26, p. 319. |
Parent taxa | Liliaceae > Ornithogalum |
Sibling taxa | |
Name authority | Linnaeus: Sp. Pl. 1: 308. (1753) |
Web links |