Ornithogalum umbellatum Ornithogalum umbellatum STAR OF BETHLEHEM Distinguishing features The distinguishing feature is the flowers that have 6 petals with a prominant green stripe on the underside of the petal. Leaves are linear, erect, basally inserted at the bulb, forming a clump. Single, leafless stems are produced at flowering. The plant is an onion-like herb perennating from a bulb, about 1 foot tall. Flower names in English, French and Latin. Flower name with flower meaning - the Language of Flowers A.* *As many of these English flower names are but little used, the French and Latin synonyms are given in parallel columns. English flower names French flower names Latin flower names Meaning of flowers Acacia, Acacia, Acacia, Platonic love. Acacia, rose, Acacia, rose, Acacia, rosea, Elegance. Acanthus, Acanthe, Acanthus, Arts. Almond-tree, Amandier, Amygdalus, Thoughtlessness. Aloes, parrot-bill, Aloï¿½s, bee de perroquet Small talk.

Aloes, socotrine, Aloï¿½s, socotrine, Aloe, succotrina, Bitterness and pain. Amaranth, Amaranthe, Amaranthus, Immortality. American Aloe, Agavï¿½, Agave Americana, Security. Angelica, Angelique, Angelica, Inspiration. Anthericum, Phalangï¿½re, Phalangium, Antidote. Arum, Gouet, commun, Arum vulgare, Ardor. Arum, Fly-catching, Arum, gobe-mouche, Arum crinitum, Snare. Ash, Frï¿½ne ï¿½levï¿½, Fraxinus excelsior Greatness. Ash-leaved Trumpet-flower, Jasmin de Virginie, Biguonia radicans, Separation. Aspen, Peuplier tremble, Populus tremula, Groan. Aster, china, Marguerite-reine, Aster chinensis, Variety. B. Balm Melisse citronelle, Melissa officinalis, Joke. Balsam of Peru, Baume du Perou, Myroxylon, Cure.

Barberry, Epine-vinette, Berberis, Sourness. Basil, Basilic, Ocimum, Hatred. Beech-tree, Hï¿½tre commun, Fagus sylvatica, Prosperity. Bellflower, Campanule, Campanula, Indiscretion. Bellflower, pyramidal, Pyramidale bleue, Campanula pyramidalis, Constancy. Bindweed, purple, Liseron pourpre, Convolvulus purpureus, Eminence. Bindweed, field, Liseron des champs, Convolvulus arvensis, Humility. Bird cherry-tree, Lauier-amandier, Prunus padus, Perfidy. Black thorn, Epine noire, Prunus sylvestris, Difficulty. Bladder-senna, Baguenaudier, Colutea arborescens Frivolous amusement. Bluebottle, Bluet, Centaurea cyanus, Delicacy. Borage, Bourrache, Borage, Bluntness. Box, Buis, Buxus, Stoicism. Bramble, Ronce, Rubus, Envy.

Broom-rape, Orobanche majeure, Orobauche major, Union. Broom, Spanish, Genï¿½t dï¿½Espagne, Genista juncea, Cleanliness. Broom, prickly, Genï¿½t ï¿½pineux, Genista spiniflora, Misanthropy. Bryony, Tame commun, Tamus communis, Support. Buck-bean, Menyauthe, Menyanthes, Quiet; repose. Bugloss, Buglosse, Anchusa, Falsehood. Burdock. Bardane, Aretium Lappa Importunity. C. Cactus, Cactier, Cactus, Maternal love. Catch-fly, night-flowering, Silï¿½nï¿½, fleur de nuit, Silene noeturna, Night. Celsia, great flowered, Celsie ï¿½ Crete, Celsia cretica, Immortality. Chaste-tree, Gattilier commun, Vitex, Coldness, Cherry-tree, Cerisier, Cerasus, Education. Chestnut-tree, Chataignier, Castanea Justice.

Chestnut-tree, horse, Marronnier dï¿½Inde, ï¿½sculus hippocastanum, Luxury. Christmas aconite, Hellebore de Noï¿½l, Helleborus, Wit. Cinquefoil, Quinte-feuille, Potentilla Beloved daughter. Clove-tree, Giroflier, Caryophyllus aromaticus, Dignity. Columbine, Ancolie, Aquilegia, Folly. Coltsfoot, sweet-scented, Tussilage odorant, Tussilago fragrans, Justice. Coriander, Coriandre, Coriandrum, Hidden worth. Cornel-tree, Cornouiller, Cornus, Duration. Crown-imperial, Couronne impï¿½riale, Fritillaria imperialis Power. Crowfoot, marsh, Renoncule scï¿½lï¿½ate, Rannuculus sceleratus, Ingratitude. Crowfoot, meadow, Renoncule, bouton dï¿½or, Ranunculus aeris, Perfidy. Currant, Groseiller, Ribes rubrum, Thankfulness.

Cypress Cyprï¿½s, Cupressus, Mourning. D. Daffodil , common, Narcisse des prï¿½s, Narcissus sylvestris, Deceitful hopes. Dahlia, Dahlia, Dahlia, Novelty. Dandelion, Pissenlit, Leontodon, Oracle. Daisy, double, Paquerette double, Dellis hortensis, Affection. Daisy, single, Paquerette simple Bellis simplex, Innocence. Daisy , wild, Marguerite des prï¿½s, Bellis perennis, Dost thou love me? Date-plum, Plaqueminier, Diospyros, Resistance. Day-lily, yellow, Belle de jour, Hemerocallis flava, Coquetry. Dittany of Crete, Dietame de Crete Origanum Dictamnus, Birth. Dittany, white, Fraxinelle, Dictamnus Fire. Dock, Patience, Rumex, Patience. Dodder, Cuscute, Cuscula, Baseness. Dragon-plant, Arum serpentaire, Arum dracunculus, Dread.

E. Elastic Momordica, Momordique ï¿½lastique, Momordica elaterium, Critique; hoax. Enchanterï¿½s Nightshade, Circï¿½e, Cichorium intybus, Frugality. Everlasting, Gnaphale, Gnaphalium, Perpetual remembrances. F. Fennel, Fenouil, Anethum fï¿½niculum, Strength. Fern, (sic) Fongï¿½re, (Fougere) Filix, Sincerity. Fieldrush, Jone des champs, Juncus campestris, Docility. Fig Marigold, Ficoï¿½de glaciale, Mesembryanthemum chrystallinum, Coldness of heart. Fir, Sapin, Ables, Height. Flax, Lin, Linum usitatissimum, Benefactor. Foxglove, Digitale, Digitalis, Occupation. Funitory, Fumeterre commune, Fumaria, Gall. G. Geranium, clouded, Gï¿½ranium triste, Geranium nubilum, Melancholy.

Geranium, rose, Gï¿½ernium rose, Geranium roseum, Preference. Geranium, scarlet, Gï¿½ranium ï¿½carlate, Geranium coccineum, Stupidity. Gilliflower, Mahon, Giroflï¿½e de Mahon, Cheiranthus mahoneus, Promptness. Gilliflower, stock, Giroflï¿½e des jardins, Cheiranthus lucanus, Enduring beauty. Goats-rue, Galï¿½ga, Galega, Reason. Goosefoot, Auserine ambroisï¿½e, Chenopodium, Insult. Grape-vine, Vigne, Vitis, Intoxication. Grass, Gazon, Gramen, Utility. Grass, quaking, Brise tremblante, Briza media, Frivolity. H. Hair-moss, Polytric ï¿½ urne, Polytrichum, Secret. Hawthorn, Aubï¿½pine Cratï¿½gus oxyacantha, Hope. Hazel, Noisettier, Corylus, Reconciliation.

Heath, Bruyï¿½re commune, Erica vulgaris, Solitude. Helenium, smooth Hï¿½lï¿½nie dï¿½automne, Helenium autumnale, Tears. Hepatica, Anemone hï¿½patique, Anemone hepatica, Trust. Hogbean, Jusquiame, Hyoscyamus, Defect. Hollowroot, Adoxa, Adoxa moschatellina, Weakness. Holly, Houx, Ilex, Forecast. Hollyhock, Rose trï¿½miï¿½re, Alcea rosea, Fruitfulness. Honesty, Lunaire, Lunaria, Forgetfulness. Honeysuckle, (sic) Chï¿½ve-feuille, Lanicera caprifolium, Bonds of love. Hop, Houblon, Humulus lupulus, Injustice. Hornbeam Charme, Carpinus, Ornament. Hortensia, Hortensia, Hortensia opuloides, Carelessness. Hyacinth, expanded, Hyacinthe ï¿½talï¿½e, Hyacinthus elatus, Benevolence.

Hyacinth, garden, Hyacinthe dï¿½Orient, Hyacinthus orientalis, The language of flowers. Hyacinth, wild, Hyacinthe sauvage, Hyacinthus sylvestris, Play. Hybrid crinum, Crinole hybride, Crinum, Delicate weakness. I. Immortal flowers, Immortelle, Xeranthemum annuum, Unfading remembrance. Indian cane, Balisier, Arundo bambos, Rendezvous. Ipomen, scarlet, Ipomï¿½e ï¿½carlate, Ipomï¿½a coccinea, Embrace. Iris, Iris, Iris, Message. Iris, flaming, Iris flambï¿½, Iris flammea, Flame. Ivy, Lierre, Hedera helix, Friendship. J. Jamaica Plum, Myrobalan, Spondias myrobalanus, Privation. Japan rose, Camellia, Camellia japonica, Gratitude. Jessamine, common white, Jasmin commun, Jasminus officinale, Amiability.

Jessamine, Spanish, Jasmin dï¿½Espagne, Jasminum grandiflorum, Sensuality. Jonquille, Jonquille, Narcissus jonquilla, Desire. Juniper Genï¿½vrier, Juniperus, Succor. K. Kingï¿½s-spear Asphodï¿½le jaune, Asphodelus, Regret. L. Laburnum, Cytise faux ï¿½bï¿½nier, Cytisus laburnum, Blackness. Ladiesï¿½ Bedstraw, Grateron, Galium, Rudeness. Ladiesï¿½ Ear-drop, Fuchsia, Fuchsia, Frailty. Larch, Mï¿½lï¿½ze, Pinus Larix Audacity. Larkspur, Pied dï¿½alouette, Delphinium, Levity. Lavender, Lavande aspic, Lavandula spica, Distrust. Laurel, Laurier franc, Laurus, Glory. Laurestine, Lauier-tin, Viburnum tinue, Delicate attentions.

Lichen, Hï¿½patique, Lichen hepatica, Confidence. Lilac, Lilas commun, Lilac vulgaris, Earliest love. Lilac, white, Lilas blanc, Lilac alba, Youth. Lily, Lis, Lilium, Majesty. Lily, daffodil, Amaryllis jaune, Amaryllis lutes, Pride. Lily of the Valley, Muguet de Mai, Convallaria maialis, Return of happiness. Lime-tree, Tilleul, Tilia, Conjugal affection. Lucerne, Luzerne, Medicago, Life. M. Madder, Garance, Rubia, Calumny. Madder, yellow, Alysse saxatile, Alyssum saxatile, Tranquility. Maidenhair Capillaire, Adiantum, Discretion. Manchineel, Mancenillier, Hippomanes mancinella, Betrayal. Mandrake, Mandragore, Atropa Mandragora, Scarcity. Maple, Erable champï¿½tre, Acer, Reserve.

Marigold, cape, Souci pluvial, Calendula pluvialis, Presage. Marigold, garden, Souci commun, Calendula officinalis, Trouble. Marshmallow, Guimauve, Althï¿½a, Beneficence. Marvel of Peru, Belle de nuit, Mirabilis, Timidity. Meadow-saffron, Colchique, Colchicum, Autumn. Meadow-sweet, Spirï¿½e ulmaire, Spirï¿½a ulmaria, Uselessness. Mezereon, Laurï¿½ole bois gentil, Daphne mezereum, Desire to please. Milfoil, Achillï¿½e Achillea, War. Milkwort, Polygala, Polygala, Hermitage. Mistletoe, Gui, Viscum album, Parasite. Motherwort, Clandestine, Lathrï¿½a clandesina, Concealed love. Mugwort, Armoise, Artemisia, Happiness. Mulberry, black, Muier noir, Morus niger, Devotedness.

Mulberry, white, Murier blanc, Morus albus, Prudence. Myrtle, Myrte, Myrtus Love. N. Narcissus, white, Narcisse des poï¿½tes, Narcissus poeticus, Selfishness. Nettle, Ortie, Urtica, Cruelty. Nightshade, Morelle, Solanum, Truth. Nosegay, Bouquet, Florum fasciculus, Gallantry. O. Oak, Chï¿½ne, Quercus, Hospitality. Olive, Olivier, Oliva, Peace. Ophrys, fly, Ophrise-mouche, Ophrys myoides, Mistake. Ophrys, spider, Ophrise-arraignï¿½e, Ophrys arachnites, Dexterity. Orange-blossom, Fleur dï¿½oranger, Flos aurantii, Chasity. Orange-tree, Oranger, Aurantium, Generosity. Osmunda, Osmonde, Osmunda, Revery. P. Pansy, Pensï¿½e, Viola tricolor, Thought.

Parsley, Persil, Apium, Feast. Pasque-flower, Coquelourde, Anemone pulsatilla, Without pretension. Passion-flower, Grenadille bleue, Passiflora cerulea, Belief. Peony, common, Pivoine officinale, Pï¿½onia officinalis, Shame. Peppermint, Menthe poivrï¿½e, Mentha piperita, Warmth of feeling. Periwinkle, Pervenche, Vinca, Sweet remembrance. Persian Candy-tuft, Ibï¿½ride de Perse, Iberis semperflorens, Indifference. Pheasantï¿½s-eye, Adonide, Adonis, Painful remembrance. Pimpernel, red, Mouron rouge, Anagallis phï¿½nicea, Appointment. Pine, Pin, Pinus, Boldness. Pineapple, Ananas, Bromelia ananas, Perfection. Pink, clove, ï¿½illet des fleuristes, Dianthus caryophyllus, True love.

Pink, musk, ï¿½illet mignardise, Dianthus moschatus, Childishness. Pink, yellowish, ï¿½illet jaune, Dianthus luteus, Unreasonableness. Plane-tree, Platane, Platanus, Genius. Polemonium, Polï¿½moine bleue, Polemonium ceruleum, Rupture. Pomegranate, Grenadier, Punica granatum, Foppery. Poplar, black, Peuplier noir, Populus niger, Courage. Poplar, white, Peuplier blanc, Polulus alba, Time. Poppy, corn, Pavot coquelicot, Papaver rhï¿½as, Ephemeral charms. Poppy, white, Pavot blanc, Papaver albus, Dormant affection. Prickly-pear, Raquette-figuier dï¿½Inde, Cactus opuntia, I burn. Primrose, Primevï¿½re, Primula, Early youth. Privet, Troï¿½ne, Ligustrum, Prohibition. Prune-tree, Prunier, Prunus, Promise.

Prune, wild, Prunier sauvage, Prunus sylvestris, Independence. R. Reed, Rosean, Arundo, Imprudence; music. Rest-harrow, Bugrane arrï¿½te-bï¿½uf, Ononis, Obstacle. Rose , Rose, Rosa, Beauty. Rosebay, Laurier-rose Nerium oleander, Distrust. Rosebay, Willow-herb Epilobe ï¿½ ï¿½pi, Epilobium spicatum, Production. Rosebud, Bouton de rose, Rosï¿½ calyx, Young girl. Rose capucine, Rose capucine, Splendor. Rose, hundred-leaved, Rose cent-feuille, Rosa centifolia, Graces. Rosemary, Romarin, Rosmarinus, Healing balm. Rose, moss Rose mosseuse, Rosa muscosa, Voluptuous love. Rose, musk, Rose musquï¿½e, Rosa moschata, Capricious beauth. Rose, perpetual, Rose des quatre saisons, Rose perpetua, Unfading beauty.

Rose, Provence, Rose pompon, Rosa provincialis, Gentillessee. Rose, single, Rose simple, Rosa berberifolia, Simplicity. Rose, striped, Rose panachï¿½e, Rosa variegata, Warmth of heart. Rose, white, Rose blanche Rosa alba, Silence. Rose, wild, Eglantine, Rosa canina, Poetry. Rose, yellow, Rose jaune, Rosa lutea, Infidelity. Round-leaved Sundew, Rossolis ï¿½ feuilles rondes, Drosera rotundifolia, Surprise, Rue Rue Sauvage, Ruta graveolens, Manners. S. Saffron, Safran, Crocus, Abuse. Sage, Sauge, Salvia, Esteem. Sea-lavender, Staticï¿½ maritim, Statice limonium, Sympathy. Sensitive plant, Sensitive, Mimosa sensitiva, Bashfulness. Sensitive Hedysarum, Sainfoin oscillant, Hedysarum gyranus, Agitation. Silver-weed, Argentine, Potentilla anserina, Simplicity.

Snowball, Boule de neige, Viburnum opulus, Ennui. Snowdrop, Galanth perce-neige, Galanthus nivalis, Consolation. Southernwood, Citronelle, Artemisia abrotanum, Pain. Speedwell, Vï¿½ronique ï¿½lï¿½gante, Veronica amï¿½na, Fidelity. Spindle-tree, Fusain, Evonymus vulgaris, Likeness. Star of Bethlehem, Ornithogale, Ornithogalum, Idleness. Star of Bethlehem, pyramidal, Ornithogale pyramidale, Ornithogalum pyramidale, Purity. Starwort, Astï¿½re, Aster, Afterthought. Strawberry, Fraise, Fragaria, Goodness. Strawberry of the Indies, Fraise de lï¿½Inde, Fragaria indica, Deceitful appearances. Succory, Chicorï¿½e-amï¿½re, Cichorium intybus, Frugality. Sunflower, (sic) Soleil, (Tournesol) Helianthus, False riches.

Sweet Sultan, yellow, Centaurï¿½e-amberboi, Centaurea moschata, Felicity. Sweet William, ï¿½illet de poï¿½te, Dianthus barbatus, Scorn. Syringa, Syringa, Philadelphus. Fraternal regard. T. Tares, Ivraie, Vicia, Vice. Teasel, Cardï¿½re, Dipsacus fullonum, Benefit. Thistle, Chardon, Carduus, Harshness. Thornapple, Datur, Datura stramonium, Deceitful charms. Thornapple, purple, Stramoine fastueuse, Datura fastuosa, Suspicion. Thyme, Thym, Thymus, Activity. Tiger-flower, Tigridie, Tigridia, Cruelty. Toad-flax, Muflier, Antirrhinum, Presumption. Touch-me-not, Balsamine, Impatiens, Impatience. Tree Primrose, Onagre, ï¿½nothera, Inconstancy.

Tuberose, Tubï¿½euse, Polyanthes, Voluptuousness. Tulip Tulipe, Tulipia, Declaration of love. Tulip, virgin, Tulipe vierge, Literary debut. Turnsol, Hï¿½liotrope Heliotropium, The intoxication of love. V. Valerian, red, Valï¿½riane rouge, Valerian rubra, Facility. Violet Ivy, Cobï¿½e grimpante, Cobï¿½a scandens, Knots. Venusï¿½s Looking-glass, Miroir de Venus, Campanula speculum, Flattery. Verain, Verveine, Verbena, Sorcery. Biburnum, prickly, Camara piquant, Lantana aculeata, Severity. Violet, sweet, Violette odorante, Viola odorata, Modesty. Violet, white, Violette blanche, Viola alba, Candor. Virginian Cowslip, Cyroselle, Dodocatheon meadia, Divinity.

Virginian Spiderwort, Ephï¿½mï¿½rine de Virginie, Tradescantia Virginica, Transient felicity. Virginï¿½s-bower, Clï¿½matite, Clematis, Artifice. W. Wake-robin, Arum commun, Arum commune, Ardor. Wall-flower, Giroflï¿½e jaune, Cheiranthus cheiri, Faithful in misfortune. Water-lily, peltated, Nï¿½lumbo, Nymphï¿½a nelumbo, Wisdom. Water-lily, white, Nï¿½nuphar blanc, Nymphï¿½a alba, Eloquence. Water-lily, yellow, Nymphea jaune, Nymphï¿½a lutea, Growing indifference. Weeping-willow, Saule pleureur, Salix babylonica, Sadness. Wheat, Blï¿½, Triticum, Riches. Whortleberry, Airelle myrtille, Vaccinium, Treachery. Wild Rose-tree, Eglantier, A poetical person.

Wild-service, Alisier, Cratï¿½gus terminalis, Harmony. Willow-herb, purple, Salicaire, Lythrum salicaria, Pretension. Windflower, Anï¿½mone, Anemone, Abandonment. Woad, Rï¿½sï¿½da, Reseda, Modest merit. Wood Anemone, Anï¿½mone des prï¿½s, Anemone nemorosa, Sickness. Wood-sorrel, Oxalide-allï¿½luia, Oxalis acetocella, Joy. Wormwood, Absinthe, Absinthium, Absence. Wreath of Roses, Couronne de roses, Corona rosarum, Reward of virtue. Y. Yew If, Taxus, Sadness. Z. Zephyranth, Zï¿½phyranthe, Zephyranthes, Fond Caresses. Ornithogalum | plant genus | Britannica.com plant genus phlox Ornithogalum, genus of plants in the family Hyacinthaceae, consisting of about 100 species of bulbous herbs, native to Eurasia and Africa.

The leaves are grouped at the base of the plant , and the white or yellow bell- or star-shaped flowers are borne in clusters at the top of a leafless stalk. Each flower is on a short stem, with a bract (leaflike structure) below it. Star-of-Bethlehem (Ornithogalum umbellatum) © Nell Bolen—The National Audubon Society Collection/Photo Researchers Star-of-Bethlehem (O. umbellatum), a common garden ornamental, has white-marked leaves and white star-shaped flowers. There is a wide green band on the outside of three segments of each flower. Learn More in these related articles: Corrections? Updates? Help us improve this article! Contact our editors with your feedback. MEDIA FOR: You have successfully emailed this. Error when sending the email. Try again later. Edit Mode Submit Tips For Editing We welcome suggested improvements to any of our articles. You can make it easier for us to review and, hopefully, publish your contribution by keeping a few points in mind. Encyclopædia Britannica articles are written in a neutral objective tone for a general audience. You may find it helpful to search within the site to see how similar or related subjects are covered.

Any text you add should be original, not copied from other sources. At the bottom of the article, feel free to list any sources that support your changes, so that we can fully understand their context. (Internet URLs are the best.) Your contribution may be further edited by our staff, and its publication is subject to our final approval. Unfortunately, our editorial approach may not be able to accommodate all contributions. Submit Thank You for Your Contribution! Our editors will review what you've submitted, and if it meets our criteria, we'll add it to the article. Please note that our editors may make some formatting changes or correct spelling or grammatical errors, and may also contact you if any clarifications are needed. Uh Oh There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later. Close Date Published: June 17, 2008 URL: Access Date: January 20, 2017 Share medicinal herbs: STAR OF BETHLEHEM - Ornithogalum umbellatum Ornithogalum umbellatum Family: Liliaceae (Lily Family) Medicinal use of Star Of Bethlehem: A homeopathic remedy is made from the bulbs. It is useful in the treatment of certain forms of cancer.

The plant is used in Bach flower remedies - the keywords for prescribing it are "After effect of shock, mental or physical". It is also one of the five ingredients in the "Rescue remedy". Description of the plant: Grassy places in eastern England. Edible parts of Star Of Bethlehem: Bulb - raw or cooked. The bulbs can be dried and ground into a powder. Whilst the bulbs are palatable and wholesome according to some reports, some caution is advised. See the notes above on toxicity. Flowers - baked in bread. Propagation of the herb: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. 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. 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 of Star Of Bethlehem: Grassy places in eastern England. Known hazards of Ornithogalum umbellatum: Skin contact with the bulb can cause dermatitis in sensitive people. The bulb contains alkaloids and is poisonous. Another report says that the bulb is poisonous to grazing animals. A close-up view of three Ornithogalum flowers. ) by Brian Johnston (Canada) All three of the plants discussed in this article are cut-flowers purchased at a tiny ï¿½boutiqueï¿½ flower shop located in a large shopping mall in Toronto. Florists sometimes refer to the three, tongue in cheek, as ï¿½floristï¿½s nightmaresï¿½, since they often last for months when the cut stems are placed in water. Although I prefer to photograph native wildflowers, Canadian winters prevent the activity from the middle of October until the beginning of May. Out of desperation, I am therefore forced to photograph the wildflowers of warmer climates, in this case, South Africa and Western Australia.

The genus Ornithogalum previously belonged to the family Liliaceae. It is now considered to be a member of the family Hyacinthaceae. The three plants illustrated in the article are bulbous perennials, and are considered to be poisonous, as they contain Cholestane glycosides and calcium oxalate. Chincherinchee [chinï¿½cheï¿½rinï¿½chee] ï¿½ Ornithogalum thyrsoides The Greeks referred to something incredible as being ï¿½birdï¿½s milkï¿½, ornithos ï¿½ bird and gala ï¿½ milk. This seems to be the accepted derivation of the genus name Ornithogalum, and also one of the common names, ï¿½Wonder Flowerï¿½. The extremely strange common name ï¿½Chincherincheeï¿½ comes from the fact that South Africans refer to the flowers as "tjenkenrientjee". In addition to the previously mentioned common names, this plant is sometimes called the ï¿½Star of Bethlehemï¿½.

(Unfortunately, many other unrelated plants are also called ï¿½Star of Bethlehemï¿½, illustrating the danger of using common names alone.) The first image in the article shows the typical pyramid-shaped cluster (raceme) of white flowers which grows on top of a leafless stem up to one metre in length. (A raceme is an arrangement of stalked flowers.) The white blooms with pale green colouration at the centres, are composed of six petals. As the flowers age, the green colouration tends to become lighter or disappears entirely. The images below shows the very tight packing of the leaflets in the raceme, and the many encircling flowers. The dark green raceme contrasts strikingly with the pale white flowers of the plant. In my specimen, the raceme was about ten centimetres in length. Eventually, all of the tightly packed, green spear-shaped leaflets are pushed out by short-stalked buds. The white flowers, which bloom from bottom to top, are large enough to completely obscure these green leaflets in the later stages of the blooming plant. The raceme eventually displays up to about thirty flowers. The short flower stalk, and faintly striped green bracts (modified leaves), can be seen below.

As a bud opens, the reproductive structures of the flower are revealed. Each flower has six stamens consisting of an anther, (the male pollen producing organ), and a supporting filament. A single pistil, consisting of a stigma, (the female pollen accepting organ), and its supporting style, is positioned at the centre of the ring of stamens. Three images with increasing magnification, of the back of a stamen, are shown below. Notice in the third photograph, the two translucent ï¿½wingsï¿½ that are present at the base of the filament. The front of each anther is completely coated with light brown pollen grains. By removing one of the anthers, it is possible to obtain an unobstructed view of the pale white stigma (top), the yellowish green style (middle), and darker green ovary in which the seeds develop (bottom). The reverse side of an anther, with the point of attachment to the filament, can be seen below. Under the microscope, this point of attachment seems remarkably fragile. Notice the pollen grains clinging to the antherï¿½s surface in the image to the right.

When more highly magnified, (and using phase contrast illumination), the finely dimpled surface of the peanut-shaped pollen grain can be observed. Many of the pollen grains in my specimen seemed to have ï¿½spraysï¿½ of needle-like crystals associated with them. (I suspect that the crystals are calcium oxalate.) The stigma has three-fold symmetry, with three longitudinal protrusions covered with thick, translucent hairs. Pollen grains can be seen adhering to these hairs. At a higher magnification, it is evident that each hair has a globular end. A photomicrograph of a thin slice through the ovary reveals the developing seeds, (green oval structures). An individual developing seed can be seen to be white in colour when it is removed from the surrounding green ovary covering. When a stamen is pulled away from the flower, the connecting plant material tears away to form an extremely thin ribbon. The microscope reveals the fine parallel strands that comprise the material. Snake Flower ï¿½ Ornithogalum dubium This close relative of Chincherinchee possesses beautiful orange, cup-shaped flowers. These flowers also have six petals, but the diameter tends to be smaller than those of Chincherinchee.

A single unopened bud can be seen below. The cup-shape of each flower is evident in the left image below. As the flowers age, they flatten out as in the right image. Notice that the flower stalks in this species are longer than in those of Chincherinchee. Although Snake Flower has a raceme, it is not as spectacular or as tightly packed as that of Cincherinchee. Each flower has six stamens and a single pistil. Notice that the pistil has a bright orange stigma, and that the style is so short that it is almost non-existent. The ovary is a dark brown colour. A higher magnification reveals the structure of a Snake Flower stamen. The front of each anther is divided into two pollen covered lobes with white undersides. Fine white hairs coat the surface of the stigma. These hairs help to hold pollen to the surface after it has been transported to the flower by visiting insects. The three lobed structure of the stigma, and two-lobed structure of an anther can be seen clearly below.

Arabï¿½s Eyes ï¿½ Ornithogalum arabicum This plant has a very long leafless stem, (often more than a metre in length), with a roughly umbrella-shaped arrangement of small, waxy, white flowers on top. The distinctive green-black ovary gives the plant its common name. The flower stems are longer than those of the other two species, and the blooms are smaller in diameter. A closer view shows the waxy flowers, and beige colour of the raceme of unopened buds. The anther is, as usual, coated with fine pollen grains. One of the three lobes of the stigma can be seen in focus in the image on the left below. The image to the right is a more highly magnified photograph of the same lobe. Phase-contrast illumination reveals that each pollen grain has a deep longitudinal groove on its surface. If part of the surface of the ovary is peeled away, the developing seeds are just visible beneath a roughly textured translucent membrane. (The small circle at the middle left of the image is an air bubble.) The following photomicrograph shows surface detail on the ovary. Developing seeds within the ovary can be seen below.

In Canada, the three species illustrated in this article are found only as cut-flowers. Nevertheless, their long-lived, and strikingly beautiful blooms can provide interesting subjects for macro-photography during the long, cold winter! Photographic Equipment The photographs in the article were taken with an eight megapixel Sony CyberShot DSC-F 828 equipped with achromatic close-up lenses (Nikon 5T, 6T, Sony VCL-M3358, and shorter focal length achromat) used singly or in combination. The lenses screw into the 58 mm filter threads of the camera lens. (These produce a magnification of from 0.5X to 10X for a 4x6 inch image.) Still higher magnifications were obtained by using a macro coupler (which has two male threads) to attach a reversed 50 mm focal length f 1.4 Olympus SLR lens to the F 828. (The magnification here is about 14X for a 4x6 inch image.) The photomicrographs were taken with a Leitz SM-Pol microscope (using a dark ground condenser), and the Coolpix 4500.

All comments to the author Brian Johnston are welcomed. Ornithogalum thyrsoides Ornithogalum thyrsoides Family: Hyacinthaceae Common names: wonder-flower, star-of-Bethlehem, chincherinchee; tjienk, tjienkerientjee, (Afr.) Showy bulbous herb of vast horticultural importance because of its long lasting flower stalks suitable for use as cut flowers. Description O. thyrsoides is a perennial herb, 20 to 50 cm tall, with round bulbs becoming dormant in the winter months. The plant has few (5-7) fleshy leaves that die back after flowering. Leaves range from 15 to 30 cm in length and 0.5 to 1.5 cm in width, are lance-shaped, smooth and soft-textured. Flower stalks are leafless and produce either a tight cluster of flowers (30-50) in a raceme or few flowers (5-20) in a loose corymb with flowers reaching almost the same height. The bowl-shaped flower is supported by a large green bract about the length of pedicels in open flowers.

Flowers are white or creamy-white, usually with a brown or green centre that fades with age. They appear from October to February, are long lasting and also phototropic (bending in response to light). The capsule is spindle-shaped and thin walled, splitting longitudinally to expose black, shiny, variously shaped seeds. Conservation Status O. thyrsoides is common in the south western Cape. Due to its wide cultivation in South Africa and abroad, there is no pressure on plants in the wild for the cut flower trade. However, like many geophytes it faces threat from land transformation due to degradation and lack of restoration. Has become naturalized in Western Australia where it grows in disturbed sites. Distribution and Habitat O. thyrsoides occurs in the Northern and Western Cape Provinces of South Africa . Its distribution extends from Namaqualand to Caledon. The species is found in vleis, sandy flats, lower mountain slopes and in disturbed ground. Although it is a Cape winter rainfall species, it grows well in gardens in the summer rainfall region. Derivation of name and historical aspects Ornithogalum belongs to the Hyacinthaceae that ranks among the 20 largest families in the Cape Flora.

The genus in the traditional sense contains about 120 species with a distribution in Africa, Europe and Western Asia. About 114 of the species occur in southern Africa and 38 of these in the Northern and Western Cape Provinces . O. thyrsoides was described and illustrated in 1776 by the Dutch born botanist Jacquin, who settled in Vienna and became known as the Austrian Linnaeus. The painting appears in Hortus botanicus vindobonensis 3:17-18, Tab.28 (1776) which can be seen on Missouri Botanical Garden's rare books site. . Ornithogalum is derived from the Greek words 'ornis' meaning bird and 'gala' meaning milk, in reference to the white flowers. 'Bird's Milk' was frequently used by the Romans to indicate something wonderful (Smith, 1966). The species epithet thyrsoides is derived from the term thryse presumably in reference to the compact flower heads.

The term is actually a misnomer as the flower heads in the species are not branched as in a thyrse, but are arranged close together in a raceme or loosely in a corymb. The Afrikaans vernacular name tjienkerientjee is the simulation of the chink sound made when fresh stalks are rubbed against one another and is based on the name given by Thunberg in 1772 as tinkerintees. Chincherinchee is the English translation of the Afrikaans name. Both names were in use in the eighteenth century. The species was introduced to gardens in Holland before 1700 and is known to cultivation in Europe from about 1750. The common name star-of-Bethlehem was used for the European species O. umbellatum in reference to the spreading tepals, and was adopted for O. thyrsoides (Smith, 1966). Ecology Plants of Ornithogalum thyrsoides survive the hot dry summers through bulb dormancy. Flowering in the genus appears to be stimulated by fires. Several forms of O.

thyrsoides were recognized by Leighton (1944) based on variation in floral parts but, Obermeyer (1978) indicates that the variation is in response to habitat conditions. The species prefers moist and fertile soil. Uses and cultural aspects O. thyrsoides and O. conicum both with a similar distribution in the Cape, are poisonous to horses and cattle if ingested. They are also the two species used in the production of cut flowers for the long lasting vase life. O. thyrsoides is a showy garden or container plant. It is also extensively cultivated for the floriculture trade. It is ideal for export as the flowers keep well and have an extended vase life. It is known to have been cultivated by market gardeners around Durban in KwaZulu-Natal from about 1948 to 1968 for sale as cut flowers in the city market. At present, Durban relies on cut flowers of the species from Western Cape. Flower stalks are placed in food dyes and the flowers take on the colour of the dye. The colourful flower heads are sold together with the authentic white flowers.

The species is known to be poisonous to horses and cattle if ingested by accidental grazing or from eating forage containing plant parts. It is referred to as 'Chincherinchee poisoning' and causes intestinal inflammation in cattle. The above ground parts of O. thyrsoides cause skin irritation (Watt & Breyer-Brandwijk, 1962). These authors also record that an infusion of the leaves was used as a remedy for diabetes mellitus by the Europeans. Growing Ornithogalum thyrsoides O. thyrsoides is recommended as a winter-growing species for gardens and containers ( Duncan, 2000). Chincherinchees are propagated mainly by separation of bulbils from bulbs and to a lesser extent by seed germination. Good soil, water and temperature conditions support large sized flowers. Plants growing in soil lacking water and nutrients produce smaller flowers. The species would do well in a sunny aspect with free air circulation, well-drained soil and slightly sloping ground in gardens. Another attractive species for gardens in summer rainfall areas is Ornithogalum saundersiae References and further reading Goldblatt, P. & Manning, J. 2002.

Cape plants: a conspectus of the Cape Flora of South Africa . Strelitzia 9. National Botanical Institute, Pretoria and MBG Press, Missouri Botanical Garden, St Louis . Duncan, G.D. 2000. Grow bulbs: a guide to species, cultivation and propagation of South African bulbs. National Botanical Institute, Kirstenbosch. Hutchings, A. 1996. Zulu Medicinal Plants: an inventory. University of Natal Press, Pietermaritzburg. Leighton, F.M. 1944. A revision of the South African species of Ornithogalum L. Journal of South African Botany 10: 83-110 (pt. 1). Leistner, O.A. (ed.). 2000. Seeds plants of southern Africa : families and genera. Strelitzia 10. National Botanical Institute, Pretoria. Obermeyer, A.A. 1978. Ornithogalum : a revision of the southern African species. Bothalia 12: 323-376. Smith , C.A. 1966.

Common names of South African plants. Memoirs of the Botanical Survey of South Africa No. 35. The Government Printer, Pretoria. Watt, J.M. & Breyer-Brandwijk, M.D. 1962. The medicinal and poisonous plants of southern and eastern Africa . E & S Livingstone Ltd., Edinburgh and London. If you enjoyed this webpage, please record your vote. Excellent - I learnt a lot Good - I learnt something new Author

Question: Ornithogalum is the Latin name for which flowering plant?
Answer: Star of Bethlehem