# star-of-Bethlehem (*Ornithogalum*)

The star-of-Bethlehem is a pretty white flower that blooms in spring. Its star-shaped petals make it look like a little star shining in the grass!

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 2/5 · Low
- **Snaps:** 2
- **Habitat:** Grasslands

![star-of-Bethlehem](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Ornithogalum_trichophyllum_2.JPG&width=800)

Photo: Gideon Pisanty ( Gidip ), CC BY 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ornithogalum_trichophyllum_2.JPG)

## Appearance

The star-of-Bethlehem has delicate, star-shaped white flowers, each with six pointed petals often marked with a green stripe on the underside. Its narrow, grass-like leaves grow from a bulb, forming a small clump that is distinctly different from larger, showier garden flowers.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Liliopsida
- **Order:** Asparagales
- **Family:** Asparagaceae
- **Genus:** Ornithogalum

## Interesting facts

- Despite its beauty, all parts of this plant are poisonous and should never be eaten!
- Each tiny star-shaped flower has six shiny stamens, which are like little golden arms!
- In some places, this plant can be an invasive species, spreading very fast!
- It's also called 'nap-at-noon' because its flowers often close midday!

## Special abilities

- **Rapid Spreader:** Star-of-Bethlehem can multiply underground with tiny bulblets, helping it spread quickly and form dense carpets of flowers.
- **Flower Closer:** Star-of-Bethlehem can close its star-shaped flowers at night or during bad weather, protecting its precious pollen.
- **Toxic Defense:** Star-of-Bethlehem has toxic compounds in its leaves and bulbs, which help protect it from hungry herbivores.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 15-30 cm
- **Spread:** 10-20 cm
- **Flower Size:** 2-4 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Spring
- **Edible:** No
- **Toxicity:** Moderate
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** European honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — provides nectar and pollen for foraging bees
- **Pollinates:** Common eastern bumblebee (*Bombus impatiens*) — an early spring food source for these busy pollinators
- **Eaten by:** Garden slug (*Arion hortensis*) — young leaves can be a food source for some slugs

## 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.
- [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.
- [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
- [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:** 2/5 · Low

Do not eat any part of this flower, as it can make you feel sick.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify 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 star-of-Bethlehem?

15-30 cm

### How wide does star-of-Bethlehem spread?

10-20 cm

### How big are the flowers on star-of-Bethlehem?

2-4 cm

### When does star-of-Bethlehem bloom?

Spring

### Is star-of-Bethlehem edible?

No

### Is star-of-Bethlehem toxic?

Moderate

### What is star-of-Bethlehem's lifecycle?

Perennial

## Where to spot

- [Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/hawaii-tropical-botanical-garden) — Hawaii, US · Botanical Garden
- [Pana'ewa Rainforest Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/panaewa-rainforest-zoo) — Hawaii, US · Zoo

## 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: [star-of-Bethlehem: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/star-of-bethlehem)