Ornithogalum nutans

Ornithogalum nutans
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Asparagaceae
Subfamily: Scilloideae
Tribe: Ornithogaleae
Genus: Ornithogalum
Species: O. nutans
Binomial name
Ornithogalum nutans

Ornithogalum nutans, known as drooping star-of-Bethlehem,[1] is a species of flowering plant in the family Asparagaceae, native to Europe and South West Asia. It is a bulbous perennial growing to 20–60 cm (8–24 in) tall by 5 cm (2 in) wide, with strap-shaped leaves and green striped, pendent grey-white flowers in spring.[2] It is cultivated, and has naturalized, outside its native range, for example in North America.[3][4] It has become extremely invasive along the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal in Maryland. At least in North America, it is not as common as Ornithogalum umbellatum.[3]

The specific epithet nutans means "nodding", referring to the flowers' slightly drooping habit.[5]

O. nutans is hardy to USDA Zones 6-10.[6] It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[7]

References

  1. "BSBI List 2007" (xls). Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
  2. RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 1405332964.
  3. 1 2 "Ornithogalum nutans Linnaeus". Flora of North America.
  4. "Ornithogalum nutans Linnaeus". Flora of Missouri.
  5. Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. p. 224. ISBN 9781845337315.
  6. Easy to grow Bulbs: Ornithogalum nutans
  7. "RHS Plant Selector - Ornithogalum nutans". Retrieved 25 May 2013.


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