Authentic Wisconsin.  Star-of-Bethlehem - Ornithogalum umbellatum


Star-of-Bethlehem along bike path behind Gregory Street in Madison, Wisconsin on May 23, 2022.

Above: Star-of-Bethlehem along bike path behind Gregory Street in Madison, Wisconsin on May 23, 2022.


Star-of-Bethlehem - Ornithogalum umbellatum (Introduced garden escapee.) Potentially invasive.

Part of the Lily family, Star-of-Bethlehem has 6 white tepals, 6 stamens, and a single pistil. The white tepals are in a stellate, star shaped, pattern. The flowers open late in the day (hence some of its other common names). When closed the flowers have a green stripe on the outside (see image below).

Star-of-Bethlehem near Agawa Path in Madison, Wisconsin on May 26, 2022.

Above: Star-of-Bethlehem near Agawa Path in Madison, Wisconsin on May 26, 2022.


Folklore has suggested it originally grew from fragments of the star of Bethlehem, hence its horticultural name.

Other names: Eleven-o'clock lady, Nap-at-noon, Grass lily, Sleepy-dick.

Note: Parts of the plant are considered poisonous.

Blooms in mid to late spring.


For more information on Ornithogalum, visit Wikipedia.

Or, visit the: United States Forest Service website page on Star of Bethlehem as an invasive species.

Or, visit the UW-Madison Wisconsin State Herbarium website page about Star of Bethlehem - Ornithogalum umbellatum.


Star-of-Bethlehem along bike path behind Gregory Street in Madison, Wisconsin on May 23, 2022.
Star-of-Bethlehem along bike path behind Gregory Street in Madison, Wisconsin on May 23, 2022.
Star-of-Bethlehem along bike path behind Gregory Street in Madison, Wisconsin on May 23, 2022.
Star-of-Bethlehem along bike path behind Gregory Street in Madison, Wisconsin on May 23, 2022.
Star-of-Bethlehem along bike path behind Gregory Street in Madison, Wisconsin on May 23, 2022.
Star-of-Bethlehem along bike path behind Gregory Street in Madison, Wisconsin on May 23, 2022.
Star-of-Bethlehem along bike path behind Gregory Street in Madison, Wisconsin on May 23, 2022.
Star-of-Bethlehem along bike path behind Gregory Street in Madison, Wisconsin on May 23, 2022.
Star-of-Bethlehem along bike path behind Gregory Street in Madison, Wisconsin on May 23, 2022.
Star-of-Bethlehem along bike path behind Gregory Street in Madison, Wisconsin on May 23, 2022.
Star-of-Bethlehem along bike path behind Gregory Street in Madison, Wisconsin on May 23, 2022.
Star-of-Bethlehem along bike path behind Gregory Street in Madison, Wisconsin on May 23, 2022.
Star-of-Bethlehem near Agawa Path in Madison, Wisconsin on May 27, 2022.
Star-of-Bethlehem near Agawa Path in Madison, Wisconsin on May 27, 2022.
Star-of-Bethlehem near Agawa Path early in the morning in Madison, Wisconsin on May 28, 2022.
Star-of-Bethlehem along bike path behind Gregory Street in Madison, Wisconsin on May 28, 2022.

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Wisconsin Wildflowers


Star-of-Bethlehem
Ornithogalum umbellatum


Star-of-Bethlehem along bike path behind Gregory Street in Madison, Wisconsin on May 23, 2022.

Star-of-Bethlehem along bike path behind Gregory Street in Madison, Wisconsin on May 23, 2022.

Star-of-Bethlehem along bike path behind Gregory Street in Madison, Wisconsin on May 23, 2022.

Star-of-Bethlehem along bike path behind Gregory Street in Madison, Wisconsin on May 23, 2022.


Above: Star-of-Bethlehem along bike path behind Gregory Street in Madison, Wisconsin (5/23/22)


Star-of-Bethlehem near Agawa Path in Madison, Wisconsin on May 27, 2022.

Star-of-Bethlehem near Agawa Path in Madison, Wisconsin on May 27, 2022.


Above: Star-of-Bethlehem near Agawa Path in Madison, Wisconsin (5/27/22)


Star-of-Bethlehem along bike path behind Gregory Street in Madison, Wisconsin on May 28, 2022.


Above: Star-of-Bethlehem along bike path behind Gregory Street in Madison, Wisconsin (5/27/22)


1796 Ornithogalum umbellatum botanical illustration.

Above: 1796 Ornithogalum umbellatum botanical illustration.


1828 Ornithogalum umbellatum illustration by Christiaan Sepp.

Above: 1828 Ornithogalum umbellatum illustration by Christiaan Sepp.


Leonardo da Vinci, Drawing of a botanical study, Star of Bethlehem, Ornithogalum umbellatum.

Above: Leonardo da Vinci, Drawing of a botanical study, "Star of Bethlehem", Ornithogalum umbellatum. (late 15th - early 16th century)


<i> Leda and the Swan</i> by Francesco Melzi after a lost painting by Leonardo da Vinci.

Above: Leda and the Swan by Francesco Melzi after a lost painting by Leonardo da Vinci (1508 - 1515). Leda is holding Star of Bethlehem in her left hand.


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