Ornithogalum umbellatum - Star-of-Bethlehem

Phylum: Magnoliophyta - Class: Equisetopsida - Order: Asparagales - Family: Asparagaceae

This pretty perennial plant is a member of the Asparagus 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.

The specimens shown on this page were photographed in the Algarve, Portugal, in May.