Ornithogalum thyrsoides

Cape Star of Bethlehem ( Ornithogalum thyrsoides )

The Cape Milchstern ( Ornithogalum thyrsoides ) is a plant from the family of asparagus plants ( Asparagaceae ).

Description

The Cape Milchstern is a perennial, herbaceous plant onion, achieved the stature heights of usually 20 to 50 centimeters. The 6 to 12 leaves are ciliated at the edge and up to four (rarely to 5) inches wide. The inflorescence is tapered - round and 12 - to 40 - flowered. The flowers have a diameter of 3 to 4 centimeters. The tepals are 10 to 20 millimeters long, translucent, whitish on the underside and have no green stripes. At the bottom they have a dark green, yellow -rimmed spot. The stamens of the inner stamens broaden abruptly at the base and are curved around the ovary. The stylus is as long as the ovary.

The flowering period extends from June to August.

Occurrence

The Cape Milchstern comes in South Africa in the Cape Province on sand.

Use

The Cape Milchstern is rarely used as an ornamental plant for summer discounts and as a long lasting cut flower. He is in culture at least since 1605. There are some varieties with white, cream yellow, ocher, yellow and golden yellow flowers.

Documents

• Corner Hardt J. Hunter, Friedrich Ebel, Peter Hanelt, Gerd Müller K. (ed.): Rothmaler Exkursionsflora of Germany. Volume 5: Herbaceous ornamental and useful plants. Spektrum Akademischer Verlag, Berlin Heidelberg 2008, ISBN 978-3-8274-0918-8.