Spiked star-of-bethlehem (Ornithogalum pyrenaicum, Sp. pl. 1:306. 1753)

Family: Asparagaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. pl. 1:306. 1753

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Ornithogalum

Vegetable: True

Observations: W. & C. Europe to Medit.

Description

The Spiked star-of-Bethlehem, scientifically known as Ornithogalum pyrenaicum, is a captivating plant known for its delicate beauty and unique characteristics. This species is a member of the Asparagaceae family, which includes a variety of other notable garden and wild plants.

Originally described in Carl Linnaeus’ seminal work “Species Plantarum” in 1753, this plant holds a long-standing place in botanical history. Typically found across Western and Central Europe, its range extends to the Mediterranean region, illustrating the plant’s adaptability to diverse environmental conditions.

Ornithogalum pyrenaicum thrives in well-drained soils and sunlit locations, often gracing open woodlands, meadows, and limestone-rich pastures. The plant is particularly admired for its slender, erect flower spikes adorned with star-shaped white to greenish flowers, each beautifully displayed in a raceme pattern. Blooming in the late spring to early summer, these flowers are not only visually appealing but also attract various pollinators, contributing to local biodiversity.

The leaves of the Spiked star-of-Bethlehem are basal and narrow, forming a rosette from which the flower spike emerges. These leaves are typically grass-like in appearance, complementing the slender and graceful profile of the flowering stem.

This botanically fascinating species is appreciated not only for its ornamental value but also for the subtle elegance it brings to both cultivated gardens and wild settings. Enthusiasts who cultivate Ornithogalum pyrenaicum often admire its resilience and relatively low maintenance needs, making it a delightful addition to many types of garden settings from rock gardens to mixed perennial borders.

In summary, the Spiked star-of-Bethlehem (Ornithogalum pyrenaicum) stands out as an exquisite example of nature’s floral artistry, embedding itself in both the history of botanical science and the aesthetic tapestry of natural and cultivated landscapes alike.

Common Names

Eng: pyrenees star of bethlehem, spiked star-of-bethlehem
Deu: pyrenäen-milchstern, kugelfrüchtiger milchstern
Dan: pyrenæisk fuglemælk
Swe: spansk stjärnlök
Nld: bosvogelmelk
Cym: seren fethlehem hir, seren-fethlehem hirfain
En: Spiked star-of-Bethlehem, Pyrenees star of Bethlehem, Bath Asparagus, Prussian Asparagus, Spiked Star of Bethlehem, Pyrenean Star-of-Bethlehem
Ar: صاصل برانسي
Bg: Пиренейски гарвански лук
Ca: Ornitògal pirinenc
Hr: Žućkasto ptičje mlijeko
Cs: Snědek pyrenejský
Da: Pyrenæisk fuglemælk
Nl: Bosvogelmelk, Pyrenese Vogelmelk
Eo: Pirenea ornitogalo
Fi: Pyreneidentähdikki
Fr: Aspergette, Ornithogale des Pyrénées, Asperge des bois
De: Kugelfrüchtiger Milchstern, Pyrenäen-Miclhster, Pyrenäen-Milchstern
It: Latte di Gallina a fiori giallastri, Ornitogalo dei Pirenei, Ornitogalo Selvatico, Latte-di-gallina a fiori giallastri, Latte-di-gallina dei Pirenei
Fa: شیرمرغ پرگل
Sk: Bledavka pyrenejská
Es: Ornithogalum de los Pirineos
Sv: Spansk stjärnlök
Cy: Seren-Fethlehem hirfain, Seren Fethlehem Hir
: Pyrenees star of bethlehem

Synonyms

• Ornithogalum granatense (Pau)
• Ornithogalum flavescens (Lam.)
• Scilla sylvestris (Savi)
• Ornithogalum asphodeloides (Schur)
• Beryllis pyrenaica ((L.) Salisb.)
• Ornithogalum pyrenaicum subsp. flavescens ((Lam.) K.Richt.)
• Loncoxis sulphurea ((Waldst. & Kit.) Raf.)
• Loncomelos pallidum ((Salisb.) Speta)
• Ornithogalum sulphureum ((Waldst. & Kit.) Schult. & Schult.f.)
• Ornithogalum melancholicum (Klokov ex Krasnova)
• Parthenostachys pyrenaica ((L.) Fourr.)
• Ornithogalum pyrenaicum var. flavescens ((Lam.) Baker)
• Phalangium sulphureum ((Waldst. & Kit.) Poir.)
• Ornithogalum pyrenaicum f. granatense ((Pau) Cuatrec.)
• Ornithogalum ochroleucum (Montandon)
• Ornithogalum pyrenaicum var. sulphureum ((Waldst. & Kit.) Nyman)
• Loncomelos pyrenaicum ((L.) L.D.Hrouda)
• Ornithogalum pallidum (Salisb.)
• Anthericum sulphureum (Waldst. & Kit.)
• Ornithogalum sulphureum var. pyrenaicum ((L.) St.-Lag.)
• Stellaris erecta (Moench)
• Ornithogalum racemosum (Gaterau)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Austria (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Corse (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• France (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Italy (native)
• Krym (native)
• Libya (native)
• Morocco (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Spain (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• West Virginia (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken May 17, 2020 by Graziano Stefanutti (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 8, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 4, 2017 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 15, 2020 by Cristina Jarillot (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 8, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken May 23, 2020 by Romain Le Masle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 19, 2022 by Natural Ethik (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Maurice REILLE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 29, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 8, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken May 8, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 29, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 29, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 29, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc-sa)

Bark

Taken Apr 29, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken May 6, 2020 by Mathilde Bugeat (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 16, 2021 by cyril zekser (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 21, 2020 by laura perez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jun 28, 2022 by Yves Jusserand (cc-by-sa)

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

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

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

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2772902)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:539466-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Ornithogalum pyrenaicum L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 4

Atmospheric humidity: 6

Bloom months: [‘may’, ‘jun’, ‘jul’]

Soil nutriments: 5