Ornithogalum nutans

Linnaeus

Sp. Pl. 1: 308. 1753.

Common names: Nodding star-of-Bethlehem
Introduced
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 26. Treatment on page 319.

Plants (15–)30–50(–60) cm; bulbs progressively renewed over 3–4 years, 2–3 × 2.5–3.5 cm; bulblets numerous. Leaves (3–)4–6; blade with white adaxial stripe, 30–60 cm × (3–)5–10(–15) mm. Scape 2–5 dm. Inflorescences racemose, 5–12(–18)-flowered, cylindrical; bracts 3–4 cm. Flowers nodding, especially after anthesis; perianth campanulate; tepals white with wide green abaxial stripe, lanceolate, 20–30 × 9–12 mm, outer 3 slightly gibbous at base, inner 3 slightly wider; stamens: outer 6–8 × 3–4 mm, inner 13–15 × 4–5 mm; filaments 3-dentate, flattened; anthers 3–4 mm; ovary ovoid to subglobose, slightly 6-angled, 5–6 mm; style 5–6 mm; lower pedicels to 1 cm. Capsules broadly ovoid. 2n = 45.


Phenology: Flowering spring.
Habitat: Fields, waste places, abandoned gardens
Elevation: 0–1500 m

Distribution

V26 637-distribution-map.jpg

Introduced; Ont., Conn., Del., D.C., Ill., Md., Mich., Mo., N.J., N.Y., N.C., Ohio, Oreg., Pa., Va., W.Va., Europe, sw Asia, expected elsewhere.

Discussion

Though widely cultivated and naturalized, Ornithogalum nutans is not as common as O. umbellatum.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.
... more about "Ornithogalum nutans"
Gerald B. Straley† +  and Frederick H. Utech +
Linnaeus +
Nodding star-of-Bethlehem +
Ont. +, Conn. +, Del. +, D.C. +, Ill. +, Md. +, Mich. +, Mo. +, N.J. +, N.Y. +, N.C. +, Ohio +, Oreg. +, Pa. +, Va. +, W.Va. +, Europe +, sw Asia +  and expected elsewhere. +
0–1500 m +
Fields, waste places, abandoned gardens +
Flowering spring. +
W2 +, W1 +  and Introduced +
Ornithogalum nutans +
Ornithogalum +
species +