Belgian gagea (Gagea spathacea, Ann. Bot. (König & Sims) 2: 556 (1806))

Family: Liliaceae

Author: (Hayne) Salisb.

Bibliography: Ann. Bot. (König & Sims) 2: 556 (1806)

Year: 1806

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Gagea

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe to NW. Caucasus

Description

The Belgian gagea, scientifically known as Gagea spathacea, is a captivating member of the Liliaceae family. First described in the esteemed “Ann. Bot. (König & Sims)” in 1806 by author (Hayne) Salisb., this delicate plant boasts a rich history of botanical interest.

The Belgian gagea is predominantly found across Europe, stretching its reach to the northwestern parts of the Caucasus. Its typical habitat includes meadows and woodlands where it thrives under favorable light and soil conditions. The plant’s verdant, lance-shaped leaves and slender stalks herald a subtle charm, often culminating in the emergence of its beautiful, star-shaped yellow flowers.

These distinctive blooms not only add a splash of color to their natural surroundings but also play an essential role in the plant’s reproduction and the sustenance of local ecosystems. As an early bloomer in the spring season, the Belgian gagea serves as an important nectar source for various pollinators, contributing to the environmental biodiversity of its regions.

Botanists and plant enthusiasts alike treasure Gagea spathacea for its resilience and understated elegance. Whether observed in the wild or cultivated in botanical gardens, the Belgian gagea continues to be a subject of admiration and study, furthering our understanding of the Liliaceae family and the intricate beauty of the plant kingdom.

Common Names

Dan: hylster-guldstjerne
Deu: scheiden-gelbstern, scheiden-goldstern, scheidengelbstern
Eng: belgian gagea
Fra: gagée à spathe
Nld: schedegeelster
Swe: lundvårlök
En: Belgian gagea
Da: Hylster-guldstjerne
Nl: Schedegeelster
Fi: Lehtokäenrieska
Fr: Gagée à spathe
De: Scheiden-Gelbstern, Scheiden-Goldstern, Scheidengelbstern
It: Cipollaccio involucrato
Sv: Lundvårlök

Synonyms

• Ornithoxanthum spathaceum ((Hayne) Link)
• Ornithogalum heynii (Roth)
• Stellaster spathaceus ((Hayne) Kuntze)
• Ornithogalum minimum var. spathaceum ((Hayne) Wahlenb.)
• Ornithogalum belgicum (Lej.)
• Gagea belgica ((Lej.) Dumort.)
• Ornithogalum spathaceum (Hayne)
• Gagea spathacea var. transcarpatica (Domin)

Distribution

• Austria (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Italy (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Poland (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Dec 11, 2007 by Tela Botanica − Christophe GIROD (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 11, 2007 by Tela Botanica − Christophe GIROD (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 11, 2007 by Tela Botanica − Christophe GIROD (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 11, 2007 by Tela Botanica − Christophe GIROD (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 29, 2021 by Asd Syr (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Mar 15, 2020 by Andreas Thurn (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 16, 2021 by Jo Nass (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Apr 15, 2010 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Apr 15, 2010 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Apr 15, 2012 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Dec 11, 2007 by Tela Botanica − Christophe GIROD (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 11, 2007 by Tela Botanica − Christophe GIROD (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Other

Taken Apr 15, 2012 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Apr 15, 2012 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken Apr 15, 2010 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Apr 15, 2010 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Bark

Taken Apr 15, 2007 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Apr 15, 2007 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5299797)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:535661-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Gagea spathacea (Hayne) Salisb.)

Specifications

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 4

Atmospheric humidity: 8

Bloom months: [‘apr’, ‘may’]

Soil nutriments: 6