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(Ornithogalum nutans)
Drooping Star Of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum nutans)
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TeunSpaans
CC BY-SA 3.0
Image By:
TeunSpaans
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY-SA 3.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: TeunSpaans | License Type: CC BY-SA 3.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ | Uploader: TeunSpaans | Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Title: Ornithogalum_nutans_bloemen.jpg | Notes: {{Information |Description=Orontium aquaticum |Source=Photographié dans mon jardin |Date=11-May-2008 |Author=Meneerke bloem |Permission=Libre de droits |other_versions= }} |
Estimated Native Range
Climate Requirements for Centurion, South Africa
| This Plant | Your Site | Plant Suitability for Your Location | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| • Precipitation | 11" - 64" | 28" | Your precipitation may be too high for this plant. | Too high |
| • High Temp. | 62°F - 93°F | 82°F | Your summer temperatures are normal for this plant. | Excellent |
| • Low Temp. | 11°F - 49°F | 37°F | Your winter temperatures are normal for this plant | Excellent |
This plant may not grow well at your location - your precipitation is too high.
Summary
Ornithogalum nutans, commonly known as Drooping Star of Bethlehem, is a deciduous perennial herb that originates from a variety of habitats including open woodlands, grasslands, and meadows in Southeastern Europe and the Aegean Islands. This plant typically grows to a height of 20–60 cm (8–24 in) and a width of up to 5 cm (2 in), featuring clumps of strap-shaped leaves. Its nodding, bell-shaped flowers are grey-white with a distinctive green stripe, blooming in the spring and providing a subtle yet attractive display. The Drooping Star of Bethlehem is hardy to USDA Zones 6–10 and has been recognized with the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit for its ornamental qualities.
In cultivation, Ornithogalum nutans is valued for its graceful flowers and adaptability to a range of garden settings. It can be used in borders, rock gardens, and as a naturalizing plant in informal areas. This plant prefers full sun to part shade and requires medium amounts of water, thriving in soils with medium to fast drainage. While generally low-maintenance, it should be noted that O. nutans can be potentially invasive outside its native range, particularly in the United States, and gardeners should consult local guidelines before planting. It is also important to be aware of its toxic nature, as all parts of the plant are poisonous if ingested.CC BY-SA 4.0
In cultivation, Ornithogalum nutans is valued for its graceful flowers and adaptability to a range of garden settings. It can be used in borders, rock gardens, and as a naturalizing plant in informal areas. This plant prefers full sun to part shade and requires medium amounts of water, thriving in soils with medium to fast drainage. While generally low-maintenance, it should be noted that O. nutans can be potentially invasive outside its native range, particularly in the United States, and gardeners should consult local guidelines before planting. It is also important to be aware of its toxic nature, as all parts of the plant are poisonous if ingested.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb
- Height: 1.6-2 feet
- Width: 0.16-0.2 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Green, White
- Flowering Season: Spring
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Medium, Fast
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Butterfly Garden, Fragrant, Low Maintenance, Showy Flowers
Natural Habitat
Open woodlands, grasslands, and meadows in Southeastern Europe and the Aegean Islands
Other Names
Common Names: Drooping Star-Of-Bethlehem, Nodding Star-Of-Bethlehem, Nikkende Fuglemælk, Nickender Milchstern, Nuokkutähdikki, Ornithogale À Fleurs Penchées, Ornithogale Penché, Nikkestjerne, Knikkende Vogelmelk, Aftonstjärna, Aftonstjärnor
Scientific Names: Ornithogalum nutans, Honorius nutans, Ornithogalum asernii, Ornithogalum prasandrum, Myogalum nutans, Ornithogalum chloranthum, Albucea nutans, Ornithogalum nutans subsp. prasandrum, Albucea chlorantha
GBIF Accepted Name: Ornithogalum nutans L.