219 Species of Genus Ornithogalum

Ornithogalum: A Starry Obsession

My fascination with the genus Ornithogalum began quite unexpectedly. I was wandering through a local nursery, overwhelmed by the riot of colors and textures, when a cluster of delicate, star-shaped blooms caught my eye. They were unassuming, almost shy, yet possessed an undeniable charm. The label read “Star of Bethlehem,” and I was smitten. This simple encounter sparked a deep dive into the world of Ornithogalum, a genus that continues to captivate me with its diversity and understated beauty.

What is Ornithogalum?

Ornithogalum is a genus of bulbous flowering plants belonging to the family Asparagaceae. The name, derived from the Greek words “ornis” (bird) and “gala” (milk), is somewhat enigmatic. Some speculate it refers to the white color of the flowers, while others believe it alludes to an ancient expression of incredulous delight. Whatever the origin, the name Ornithogalum encompasses a diverse array of species, each with its own unique characteristics.

These plants are predominantly native to southern Europe and southern Africa, but their distribution extends to other regions, including the Caucasus. They are characterized by their basal leaves and star-shaped flowers, which typically range in color from white to cream, with some species boasting vibrant yellow or orange hues.

A Diverse Genus

The genus Ornithogalum is surprisingly large, with over 200 recognized species:

  1. Ornithogalum abyssinicum Fresen.
  2. Ornithogalum adamii J.C.Manning
  3. Ornithogalum adanense Demirci & E.Kaya
  4. Ornithogalum adseptentrionesvergentulum U.Müll.-Doblies & D.Müll.-Doblies
  5. Ornithogalum aetfatense U.Müll.-Doblies & D.Müll.-Doblies
  6. Ornithogalum alatepense Yıld. & Kılıç
  7. Ornithogalum alatum Turrill
  8. Ornithogalum alpigenum Stapf
  9. Ornithogalum amblyocarpum Zahar.
  10. Ornithogalum amphibolum Zahar.
  11. Ornithogalum amplificatum (Speta) Aslan
  12. Ornithogalum anamurense Speta
  13. Ornithogalum anatolicum Zahar.
  14. Ornithogalum anguinum F.M.Leight. ex Oberm.
  15. Ornithogalum annae-ameliae U.Müll.-Doblies & D.Müll.-Doblies
  16. Ornithogalum apiculatum Zahar.
  17. Ornithogalum arabicum L.
  18. Ornithogalum arcuatum Steven
  19. Ornithogalum arianum Lipsky
  20. Ornithogalum armeniacum Baker
  21. Ornithogalum atticum Boiss. & Heldr.
  22. Ornithogalum baeticum Boiss.
  23. Ornithogalum balansae Boiss.
  24. Ornithogalum baurii Baker
  25. Ornithogalum benguellense Baker
  26. Ornithogalum beyazoglui Bagci, Savran & O.D.Düșen
  27. Ornithogalum bicornutum F.M.Leight.
  28. Ornithogalum boissieri Bidarlord & F.Ghahrem.
  29. Ornithogalum boucheanum (Kunth) Asch.
  30. Ornithogalum bourgaeanum Jord. & Fourr.
  31. Ornithogalum brevipedicellatum Boiss. ex Baker
  32. Ornithogalum britteniae F.M.Leight. ex Oberm.
  33. Ornithogalum broteroi M.Laínz
  34. Ornithogalum bungei Boiss.
  35. Ornithogalum campanulatum U.Müll.-Doblies & D.Müll.-Doblies
  36. Ornithogalum candicans (Baker) J.C.Manning & Goldblatt
  37. Ornithogalum capillaris J.M.Wood & M.S.Evans
  38. Ornithogalum ceresianum F.M.Leight.
  39. Ornithogalum chetikianum Uysal, Ertugrul & Dural
  40. Ornithogalum chionophilum Holmboe
  41. Ornithogalum ciliiferum U.Müll.-Doblies & D.Müll.-Doblies
  42. Ornithogalum collinum Guss.
  43. Ornithogalum comosum L.
  44. Ornithogalum concinnum Salisb.
  45. Ornithogalum conicum Jacq.
  46. Ornithogalum constrictum F.M.Leight.
  47. Ornithogalum convallarioides H.Perrier
  48. Ornithogalum corsicum Jord. & Fourr.
  49. Ornithogalum corticatum Mart.-Azorín
  50. Ornithogalum craibii (Mart.-Azorín, M.B.Crespo, M.Pinter & Wetschnig) J.C.Manning
  51. Ornithogalum creticum Zahar.
  52. Ornithogalum cuspidatum Bertol.
  53. Ornithogalum dalmaticum Speta
  54. Ornithogalum decus-montium G.Will.
  55. Ornithogalum × degenianum Polg.
  56. Ornithogalum deltoideum Baker
  57. Ornithogalum demirizianum H.Malyer & Koyuncu
  58. Ornithogalum diphyllum Baker
  59. Ornithogalum divergens Boreau
  60. Ornithogalum dolichopharynx U.Müll.-Doblies & D.Müll.-Doblies
  61. Ornithogalum dregeanum Kunth
  62. Ornithogalum dubium Houtt.
  63. Ornithogalum erichpaschei (Speta) Uysal & Ertugrul
  64. Ornithogalum esterhuyseniae Oberm.
  65. Ornithogalum euxinum Speta
  66. Ornithogalum exaratum Zahar.
  67. Ornithogalum exscapum Ten.
  68. Ornithogalum falcatum (G.J.Lewis) J.C.Manning & Goldblatt
  69. Ornithogalum filicaule J.C.Manning & Goldblatt
  70. Ornithogalum fimbriatum Willd.
  71. Ornithogalum fimbrimarginatum F.M.Leight.
  72. Ornithogalum fischerianum Krasch.
  73. Ornithogalum fissurisedulum U.Müll.-Doblies & D.Müll.-Doblies
  74. Ornithogalum flexuosum (Thunb.) U.Müll.-Doblies & D.Müll.-Doblies
  75. Ornithogalum fuscescens Boiss. & Gaill.
  76. Ornithogalum gabrielianiae Agapova
  77. Ornithogalum gambosanum Baker
  78. Ornithogalum geniculatum Oberm.
  79. Ornithogalum gorenflotii (Moret) Speta
  80. Ornithogalum graciliflorum K.Koch
  81. Ornithogalum gracillimum R.E.Fr.
  82. Ornithogalum graecum Zahar.
  83. Ornithogalum graminifolium Thunb.
  84. Ornithogalum gregorianum U.Müll.-Doblies & D.Müll.-Doblies
  85. Ornithogalum × gugliae Widder
  86. Ornithogalum gulnariense Demir. & Uysal
  87. Ornithogalum gussonei Ten.
  88. Ornithogalum haalenbergense U.Müll.-Doblies & D.Müll.-Doblies
  89. Ornithogalum hajastanum Agapova
  90. Ornithogalum hallii Oberm.
  91. Ornithogalum harbrum Haloob & Qader
  92. Ornithogalum hispidulum U.Müll.-Doblies & D.Müll.-Doblies
  93. Ornithogalum hispidum Hornem.
  94. Ornithogalum hyrcanum Grossh.
  95. Ornithogalum imereticum Sosn.
  96. Ornithogalum immaculatum Speta
  97. Ornithogalum improbum Speta
  98. Ornithogalum inclusum F.M.Leight.
  99. Ornithogalum insulare Kypr., E.Antal. & Tzanoud.
  100. Ornithogalum iranicum Zahar.
  101. Ornithogalum iraqense Feinbrun
  102. Ornithogalum isauricum O.D.Düsen & Sümbül
  103. Ornithogalum joschtiae Speta
  104. Ornithogalum juncifolium Jacq.
  105. Ornithogalum khuzestanicum Heidaryan, Hamdi & Assadi
  106. Ornithogalum kilicii Yıld.
  107. Ornithogalum kuereanum Speta
  108. Ornithogalum kurdicum Bornm.
  109. Ornithogalum lanceolatum Labill.
  110. Ornithogalum leeupoortense U.Müll.-Doblies & D.Müll.-Doblies
  111. Ornithogalum libanoticum Boiss.
  112. Ornithogalum lithopsoides van Jaarsv.
  113. Ornithogalum longicollum U.Müll.-Doblies & D.Müll.-Doblies
  114. Ornithogalum luschanii Stapf
  115. Ornithogalum lychnite Speta
  116. Ornithogalum macrum Speta
  117. Ornithogalum maculatum Jacq.
  118. Ornithogalum magnum Krasch. & Schischk.
  119. Ornithogalum malatyanum Mutlu
  120. Ornithogalum marivanense Maroofi & Ghaderi
  121. Ornithogalum mater-familias U.Müll.-Doblies & D.Müll.-Doblies
  122. Ornithogalum mekselinae Varol
  123. Ornithogalum microcarpum Speta
  124. Ornithogalum monophyllum Baker
  125. Ornithogalum montanum Cirillo
  126. Ornithogalum multifolium Baker
  127. Ornithogalum munzurense Speta
  128. Ornithogalum mysum Speta
  129. Ornithogalum nallihanense Yıld. & Doğru-Koca
  130. Ornithogalum namaquanulum U.Müll.-Doblies & D.Müll.-Doblies
  131. Ornithogalum nanodes F.M.Leight.
  132. Ornithogalum narbonense L.
  133. Ornithogalum navaschinii Agapova
  134. Ornithogalum naviculum W.F.Barker ex Oberm.
  135. Ornithogalum naxense Strid
  136. Ornithogalum neopatersonia J.C.Manning & Goldblatt
  137. Ornithogalum neurostegium Boiss. & C.I.Blanche
  138. Ornithogalum nitidum Yıld. & Kılıç
  139. Ornithogalum nivale Boiss.
  140. Ornithogalum niveum Aiton
  141. Ornithogalum nurdaniae Bagci & Savran
  142. Ornithogalum nutans L.
  143. Ornithogalum ocellatum Speta
  144. Ornithogalum oligophyllum E.D.Clarke
  145. Ornithogalum oreoides Zahar.
  146. Ornithogalum orthophyllum Ten.
  147. Ornithogalum ostrovicense F.K.Mey.
  148. Ornithogalum paludosum Baker
  149. Ornithogalum pamphylicum O.D.Düsen & Sümbül
  150. Ornithogalum pascheanum Speta
  151. Ornithogalum pedicellare Boiss. & Kotschy
  152. Ornithogalum pendens van Jaarsv.
  153. Ornithogalum perdurans A.P.Dold & S.A.Hammer
  154. Ornithogalum persicum Hausskn. ex Bornm.
  155. Ornithogalum pilosum L.f.
  156. Ornithogalum plurifolium Yıld. & Kılıç
  157. Ornithogalum pluttulum Speta
  158. Ornithogalum polyphyllum Jacq.
  159. Ornithogalum ponticum Zahar.
  160. Ornithogalum prasinantherum Zahar.
  161. Ornithogalum princeps (Baker) J.C.Manning & Goldblatt
  162. Ornithogalum pruinosum F.M.Leight.
  163. Ornithogalum puberulum Oberm.
  164. Ornithogalum pullatum F.M.Leight.
  165. Ornithogalum pumilum Zahar.
  166. Ornithogalum pycnanthum Wendelbo
  167. Ornithogalum pyramidale L.
  168. Ornithogalum pyrenaicum L.
  169. Ornithogalum rausii (Speta) Danin
  170. Ornithogalum refractum Willd.
  171. Ornithogalum regale (Hilliard & B.L.Burtt) J.C.Manning & Goldblatt
  172. Ornithogalum reverchonii Lange ex Willk.
  173. Ornithogalum richtersveldense van Jaarsv.
  174. Ornithogalum rogersii Baker
  175. Ornithogalum rosulatum (Mart.-Azorín, M.B.Crespo, A.P.Dold, M.Pinter & Wetschnig) J.C.Manning
  176. Ornithogalum rotatum U.Müll.-Doblies & D.Müll.-Doblies
  177. Ornithogalum rupestre L.f.
  178. Ornithogalum saginatum Speta
  179. Ornithogalum samariae Zahar.
  180. Ornithogalum sanandajense Maroofi
  181. Ornithogalum sancakense Yıld. & Kılıç
  182. Ornithogalum sandrasicum Yıld.
  183. Ornithogalum sardienii van Jaarsv.
  184. Ornithogalum saundersiae Baker
  185. Ornithogalum sephtonii Hilliard & B.L.Burtt
  186. Ornithogalum sessiliflorum Desf.
  187. Ornithogalum sigmoideum Freyn & Sint.
  188. Ornithogalum sintenisii Freyn
  189. Ornithogalum sorgerae Wittmann
  190. Ornithogalum spetae Wittmann
  191. Ornithogalum sphaerocarpum A.Kern.
  192. Ornithogalum sphaerolobum Zahar.
  193. Ornithogalum subcoriaceum L.Bolus
  194. Ornithogalum sumbulianum O.D.Düsen & Deniz
  195. Ornithogalum synadelphicum U.Müll.-Doblies & D.Müll.-Doblies
  196. Ornithogalum tanquanum (Mart.-Azorín & M.B.Crespo) J.C.Manning & Goldblatt
  197. Ornithogalum tardum (Speta) Uysal & Ertugrul
  198. Ornithogalum televirnum Speta
  199. Ornithogalum thermophilum F.M.Leight.
  200. Ornithogalum thunbergii Kunth
  201. Ornithogalum thyrsoides Jacq.
  202. Ornithogalum transcaucasicum Miscz. ex Grossh.
  203. Ornithogalum trichophyllum Boiss.
  204. Ornithogalum tropicale Baker
  205. Ornithogalum ulixis (Speta) Raus
  206. Ornithogalum uluense Speta
  207. Ornithogalum umbellatum L.
  208. Ornithogalum umbratile Tornad. & Garbari
  209. Ornithogalum vasakii Speta
  210. Ornithogalum verae U.Müll.-Doblies & D.Müll.-Doblies
  211. Ornithogalum viridiflorum (I.Verd.) J.C.Manning & Goldblatt
  212. Ornithogalum visianicum Tomm.
  213. Ornithogalum vulgare Sailer
  214. Ornithogalum wiedemannii Boiss.
  215. Ornithogalum × wildtii Podp.
  216. Ornithogalum woronowii Krasch.
  217. Ornithogalum xanthochlorum Baker
  218. Ornithogalum yildirimlii Kılıç
  219. Ornithogalum zebrinellum U.Müll.-Doblies & D.Müll.-Doblies

More Than Just a Pretty Face

While Ornithogalum species are primarily cultivated for their ornamental value, they also hold cultural and historical significance. In some cultures, Ornithogalum umbellatum is associated with purity and hope, often used in religious ceremonies and wedding bouquets.

It’s important to note that some Ornithogalum species contain toxic compounds, particularly in the bulbs. While they have been used in traditional medicine, caution is advised as ingestion can cause gastrointestinal distress and other adverse effects.

My Ornithogalum Journey

My initial encounter with Ornithogalum umbellatum led me to cultivate several species in my own garden. I’ve been captivated by the subtle variations in flower shape, size, and color. The way the petals shimmer in the sunlight, the delicate fragrance that wafts through the air – these are the moments that solidify my appreciation for this remarkable genus.

I’ve also become fascinated by the challenges of cultivating different Ornithogalum species. Some, like Ornithogalum dubium, require specific conditions to thrive, while others, like Ornithogalum umbellatum, are surprisingly adaptable. Each species presents a unique learning opportunity, adding another layer to my Ornithogalum journey.

Looking Ahead

My exploration of the Ornithogalum genus is far from over. I’m eager to learn more about the lesser-known species, to experiment with different cultivation techniques, and to delve deeper into the cultural and historical significance of these fascinating plants.

The world of Ornithogalum is vast and full of surprises. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a curious novice, I encourage you to discover the beauty and diversity of this often-overlooked genus. You might just find yourself, like me, falling under the spell of its starry charm.

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