Ornithogalum nutans
Nodding Star of Bethlehem ( Ornithogalum nutans )
The Nodding Star of Bethlehem ( Ornithogalum nutans ), also called nodding bird milk, is a plant from the family of asparagus plants ( Asparagaceae ). It is available in Germany under protection.
Description
The Nodding Star of Bethlehem is a perennial herbaceous plant with plant height usually 30 to 50 (15 to 60) centimeters. This forms Geophyt onions having a length of about 2 to 3 cm and a diameter of about 2.5 to 3.5 cm, the forming many bulbs. The usually four to six, rarely three, arranged in a basal rosette leaves are simple, parallel-veined, linear and up to 60 cm long.
In late winter the Nodding Star of Bethlehem with photosynthesis begins and blooms from mid April to early May. On a leafless stems of racemose inflorescence with usually five to twelve is (rarely up to 18 ) flowers. The bracts are 3-4 cm long. The nodding flowers are triple and hermaphrodite. The six bell-shaped fused bracts are white with a green stripe on the back, 20 to 30 mm long and 9-12 mm wide. The three inner and outer bracts are slightly different in shape. Of the six stamens, the outer 6-8 x 3-4 mm, the inner 13 to 15 × 4 to 5 mm. The stamens are winged ( serrated ). The dust bags are 3 to 4 mm long. The easy six -winged ovary and the style are each 5-6 mm long. The capsule fruit is broadly ovate. After flowering the leaves dry up and the onion survived the dry summer months under the ground. Dissemination and propagation see umbels milk star.
Occurrence
The Nodding Star of Bethlehem comes from the west of Turkey and the east of Greece, but the species is now wild in many parts of the world. In the Baroque period of the star of Bethlehem in Europe was planted as an ornament for the castle and monastery gardens. Therefore it advocates today in the vicinity of these plants ( bushes, fields, vineyards ) heaped on.
It is relatively rare in Germany. In the Garden of Paretz Palace in Potsdam Nodding Star of Bethlehem has become a small attraction during its heyday; guides in the literary and cultural impact of the plant on the example of the text " Nodding Star of Bethlehem " by Ludwig Sternaux is explained. In Saxony the highest population of Nick ends milk star in Germany can be observed, there it grows for example, on the Roitzschberg at Meissen and at Schloss Pillnitz near Dresden.
In Austria it is found in the eastern Mediterranean areas. So also in Northern Lower Austria about the Altenburg.
In Switzerland, this type occurs sporadically in the area around Schaffhausen, the Rhine Valley and in the area between Bern and Thun; but there it is considered endangered.
Swell
- Description in the Flora of North America. (English )
- Allgemeine Zeitung: Blooming Greeting from the East