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Ornithogalum L.Hyacinthaceae (Liliaceae s.l.) |
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Alternate trade names
star of Bethlehem Common names
star of Bethlehem, Arabian star flower, chincherinchee Species cultivated
Most commonly cultivated Ornithogalum thyrsoides Jacq. O. arabicum L. Other species O. dubium Houtt. O. nutans L. O. saundersiae Bak. O. umbellatum L. Origin
Eurasia, tropical Africa, South Africa. Brief characterization
Leafless stems terminating in +/- dense racemes of cup- or funnel-shaped flowers; long, ensiform bract subtends each flower; perianth of 6 distinct tepals, sometimes with green stripe on underside, in 2 whorls of 3; filaments flattened and broadened at base, sometimes winged; large superior ovary distinctly colored, giving flower a center color. Cultivar and/or species variation
Racemes short and rounded to long and tapered; flowers 6-25 per inflorescence, 1.5-3 cm across, usually creamy white, sometimes orange (Ornithogalum dubium); ovaries yellow-green to black. May be confused with
Countries exporting
Kenya, Mayotte, South Africa, Uganda, Zimbabwe.  |
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| Ornithogalum arabicum:
flower |
Ornithogalum thyrsoides:
flower |
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| Ornithogalum arabicum:
ovary and stamens |
Ornithogalum thyrsoides:
ovary and stamens |
