Ornithogalum umbellatum - Star-of-Bethlehem

Taxonomy

Phylum: Magnoliophyta

Class: Equisetopsida

Order: Asparagales

Family: Asparagaceae

This pretty perennial plant is a member of the Lily (Asparagaceae) family. Its rather one-sided flower spike appears from March until May and the plant favours stony or rocky ground. It can also be found on disturbed or abandoned agricultural land.

Star-of-Bethlehem can be found in many European countries from the north right down as far south as Portugal and east as Slovenia.

This specimen was photographed in the Algarve, Portugal, in May.