Ornithogalum

Family. Hyacinthaceae.

Origin. South Africa, Europe.

Description. Ornithogalum is a perennial, often small, bulbous plant. The bulbs are ovoid, up to 10 cm in diameter. The leaves are narrow, belt-shaped, thin, 30 - 80 cm long, dark green in color, with longitudinal veins, forming a basal rosette. The peduncles are tall - from 30 to 80 cm, leafless, bearing from 20 to 100 star-shaped white or greenish flowers at the top. Each flower is about 2.5 cm in diameter and has 6 pointed petals. The buds open only in good weather; in cloudy weather they remain half-closed.

Height. 30 - 100 cm, depending on the type. 

Planting and caring

Growing at home 

Ornithogalum does not have a pronounced dormant period and grows throughout the year. During the warm season, take the bush out into the fresh air.

When blooms 

Spring.

Reproduction

Daughter bulbs. 

Soil 

Use nutrient-rich, well-drained soil. A mixture of equal parts perlite and peat, sand.

Transplant 

Bulbs can be planted at any time of the year when they feel too crowded in the pot. 

Feeding 

Ornithogalum can be fed monthly in spring and summer. In the fall, feeding is stopped and resumed with the beginning of new growth in the spring.

Diseases and pests 

The plant rots when overwatered, especially during autumn and winter. Prolonged exposure to direct sun may cause burns. Leaves dry out during prolonged drought.  Pests that can attack are onion mites, nematodes, spider mites, and aphids.

Temperature

The houseplant can be kept at normal room temperature throughout the year.

Lighting

Leaf blades should receive 3-4 hours of direct sunlight daily. During the day, provide shade from the scorching rays.

Watering

Water sparingly but regularly during the summer months. The top layer of soil should dry out between waterings. Reduce the frequency of watering in the fall and keep the soil barely moist until spring. 

Spraying 

Mist the leaves if the air in the room becomes too dry. Provide good ventilation in the room where the flower is kept. A good air flow will facilitate the evaporation of moisture from the surface of the leaf blades.

Purpose

Looks great in landscaping balconies and terraces. These tender perennials also look good when grown in hanging baskets. 

Note

All parts of the plant are poisonous - keep it away from children and pets.

Varieties:

Ornithogalum caudatum

A relatively large bulbous herbaceous plant. It has a round, peeling bulb of light green color with a diameter of up to 10 cm. The leaves are green, linear, up to 90 cm long, curved along the central vein. During the flowering period, the plant throws out a tall leafless peduncle, reaching 90 - 150 cm. At the top of the peduncle there is an inflorescence - a spike with greenish or white, fragrant flowers. Each peduncle is capable of bearing from 50 to 300 flowers. 

Ornithogalum Umbellatum

A bulbous perennial with compact dimensions - often does not exceed a height of 30 cm. The leaves are dark green, linear, glossy, up to 30 cm long. Leafless peduncles, 15 - 20 cm high, appear when the leaves begin to die - in late spring or early summer. Each peduncle bears 15 - 20 flowers. The flowers are white, delicate, star-shaped - with 6 oblong petals, about 2 cm in diameter. On the outside, the petals have a wide green longitudinal stripe in the center. 

Ornithogalum boucheanum

A perennial herbaceous plant with a bulb about 3 - 4 cm in diameter. The leaves are narrow, linear, green, 20 to 50 cm long, bent longitudinally along the central vein and often gracefully arched. The peduncles are strong, thick, vertical, leafless, bearing 15 - 20 attractive light green flowers at the top. The flowers open sequentially - from bottom to top, which prolongs the flowering time. 

Ornithogalum nutans

A perennial herbaceous plant with a bulb up to 6 cm in diameter. The leaves are narrow, linear, dark green, 30 - 40 cm long. Strong erect peduncles reach a height of 50 - 60 cm, appearing in the spring. Each peduncle bears at the top up to 15 - 20 silvery-green star-shaped flowers with a very pleasant sweetish aroma. Flowers open sequentially - from bottom to top. 

Ornithogalum dubium

Perhaps the most striking representative of ornithogalum is a compact herbaceous plant up to 30 cm high. The leaves are dark green, thick, fleshy, oblong-triangular, covered with a bluish waxy coating, reminiscent of tulip foliage. The peduncles are erect, 30 - 40 cm high. Each peduncle bears at the top up to 15 - 20 brightly colored orange flowers with 6 wide petals. The center of the flowers is often dark brown, and the buds open sequentially from bottom to top. Flowering occurs in spring. 

Ornithogalum arabicum

The leaves are green, oblong - triangular, basal. The flower stalks are leafless, up to 45 - 60 cm high, bearing inflorescences with many delicate white or cream, fragrant flowers at the tops. Flowering occurs in the first half of summer. 

Ornithogalum magnum

The leaves are emerald green, basal, linear, up to 45 cm long, often begin to dry before flowering. Peduncles reach a height of 30 - 60 cm. The inflorescences are cone-shaped, loose - they bear many delicate, white flowers with oblong, thin petals. The flowers open from bottom to top and the total flowering time is quite long. The flowering period begins in late spring. 

Ornithogalum saundersiae

A large perennial plant up to 90 cm high with bulbs up to 20 cm in diameter. The leaves are oblong - xiphoid, green, often covered with a bluish waxy coating, up to 50 cm long. Peduncles are leafless, thick, vertical, bearing round inflorescences at the top with many small white or cream flowers. 

Ornithogalum kochii

One of the smallest species of ornithischium - even adult plants do not exceed a height of 10 cm. The leaves are narrow, linear, slightly arched, dark green, glossy, and often die off before the flowers appear. The peduncles are short, strong, erect, bearing several charming, silvery-white flowers. The center of the flowers is painted in a light green shade. On the outside, the flower petals remain green. 

Ornithogalum thyrsoides

A herbaceous bulbous plant with a height of 20 to 50 cm. The leaves are green, linear, 15 - 30 cm long and only about 1 cm wide, and begin to die off even before flowering. The flowers are delicate, white, collected in an inflorescence - a spike at the top of a low, strong peduncle. Each peduncle is capable of bearing from 30 to 50 flowers, opening sequentially - from bottom to top. The flowering period occurs in late spring - early summer. 

Ornithogalum arcuatum

Perennial bulbous plants with green, thick, fleshy, oblong-triangular leaves, probably the tallest type of ornithogalum plant. The bulb reaches a diameter of 30 cm, and peduncles can grow up to 120 cm in height. The flowers are white, star-shaped, with 6 thin, narrow petals, collected in loose inflorescences - panicles on high peduncles.