# common star-of-Bethlehem (*Ornithogalum umbellatum*) The common star-of-Bethlehem is a pretty flower with star-shaped white blooms. It grows in gardens and fields, bringing beauty to nature in springtime. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 43 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![common star-of-Bethlehem](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Ornithogalum_umbellatum_close-up2.jpg&width=800) Photo: Meneerke bloem, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ornithogalum_umbellatum_close-up2.jpg) ## Appearance The common star-of-Bethlehem has delicate, star-shaped white flowers, each with six petals often marked by a distinct green stripe on the outside. Its narrow, grass-like leaves feature a prominent white stripe down the center, making it easily recognizable even when not in bloom. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Liliopsida - **Order:** Asparagales - **Family:** Asparagaceae - **Genus:** Ornithogalum ## Interesting facts - In some places, it’s considered an invasive 'super-spreader' in gardens and fields! - Its specific name, 'umbellatum', refers to its umbrella-like flower cluster! - The plant's bulbs were once ground into flour in parts of the Mediterranean! - This plant can stay dormant underground for years, waiting for ideal conditions! ## Special abilities - **Energy Locker:** common star-of-Bethlehem stores food in underground bulbs, helping it survive cold winters and bloom early in spring. - **Bulblet Builder:** common star-of-Bethlehem creates tiny new bulbs called bulbils, allowing it to spread quickly and form dense colonies. - **Toxic Shield:** common star-of-Bethlehem produces toxic compounds that deter many animals from eating its leaves or bulbs. - **Flower Closer:** common star-of-Bethlehem closes its star-like flowers at night and on cloudy days to protect its pollen. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 15-30 cm - **Spread:** 15-30 cm - **Flower Size:** 2-3 cm - **Bloom Season:** Spring - **Edible:** No - **Toxicity:** Moderate - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** European honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Visits flowers for nectar and pollen. - **Pollinates:** Common Eastern Bumblebee (*Bombus impatiens*) — Helps transfer pollen between flowers. - **Pollinates:** Viereck's Sweat Bee (*Lasioglossum vierecki*) — One of many wild bees attracted to its blooms. ## Traits - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Ornamental](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ornamental): Ornamental plants are cultivated primarily for their aesthetic appeal, enhancing landscapes and gardens with their attractive foliage, flowers, or form. - [Cluster Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/cluster-flower): Cluster flowers are inflorescences where individual flowers are arranged closely together on a common stem. - [Spring Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spring-blooming): Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Don't eat any flowers you find outside, even if they look pretty! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify common star-of-Bethlehem? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is common star-of-Bethlehem? 15-30 cm ### How wide does common star-of-Bethlehem spread? 15-30 cm ### How big are the flowers on common star-of-Bethlehem? 2-3 cm ### When does common star-of-Bethlehem bloom? Spring ### Is common star-of-Bethlehem edible? No ### Is common star-of-Bethlehem toxic? Moderate ### What is common star-of-Bethlehem's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Commerce Street Residential Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/commerce-street-residential-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [Darlington Agency](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/darlington-agency) — Oklahoma, US · Historic District - [Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/drumlin-farm-wildlife-sanctuary) — Massachusetts, US · Nature Reserve - [East Commerce Street Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/east-commerce-street-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [Grand Caverns](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/grand-caverns) — Virginia, US · Natural Landmark - [Kickapoo State Recreation Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kickapoo-state-recreation-area) — Illinois, US · State Park [View all places to see common star-of-Bethlehem](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/common-star-of-bethlehem) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [common star-of-Bethlehem: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-star-of-bethlehem)