Star-Of-Bethlehem (Ornithogalum Umbellu-Tum)(European)

This dainty plant is sometimes met with near some farm house, from the garden of which it may have escaped years before. It is quite hardy and will increase rapidly if allowed a fair chance.

It receives its name from the star-like appearance of the white flowers as they peer up through the meadow grass. The original home of this flower is in Italy.

The scape, rising from a coated bulb, is from 6 to 12 in. high; at the top is a loose, terminal cluster of from four to eight blossoms. The perianth is divided into six waxy-white sepals, rather greenish on the outside, and with three to seven green nerves; six stamens and" a three-sided stigma; flower pedicels slender and bracted at their junction with the scape. The leaves are long, linear and channeled. It may be found as an escape, from Me. to Va.