Star of Bethlehem (plant)

The Star of Bethlehem is a genus (Ornithogalum) of perennial plants native to southern Europe belonging to the family Hyacinthaceae. Growing from a bulb, it has grass-like basal leaves and a slender stalk, up to 30 cm tall, bearing clusters of star-shaped white flowers striped with green. There are numerous members of the genus, of which O. umbellatum is perhaps the best-known:
 * O. arabicum (Star-of-Bethlehem)
 * O. dubium (Yellow Chincherinchee)
 * O. longibracteatum (Pregnant Onion/False Sea Onion)
 * O. maculatum (Snake Flower)
 * O. narbonense (Pyramidal Star-of-Bethlehem)
 * O. nutans (Drooping Star-of-Bethlehem)
 * O. pyrenaicum (Bath Asparagus/Prussian Asparagus/Spiked Star-of-Bethlehem)
 * O. umbellatum (Common Star-of-Bethlehem)
 * O. thyroides (Chincherinchee)

Because of its star-shaped flowers, it is named for the Star of Bethlehem that appeared in the Biblical account of the birth of Jesus.

"Yellow star-of-Bethlehem" refers to plants of a different genus. See Gagea.

Toxicity
The plant is poisonous, and has been known to kill grazing animals. These flowers' Bulbs contain alkaloids, which are toxic.

Snědek Milchsterne Ornithogalum Ornithogale hsb:Banćikaty hwěžkan Ornithogalum Paukštpienė Vogelmelk Voegelmelk Śniedek Ornithogalum Ornithogalum