Ornithogalum umbellatum ssp. campestre, Star-of-Bethlehem

Common Name: Star-of-Bethlehem

The flower pictured above, more commonly known as Star-of-Bethlehem, is probably Ornithogalum umbellatum ssp. campestre. It is thought to be native in the Breckland area of Norfolk, but elsewhere is a naturalised garden escapee as is its slightly larger close relative Garden Star-of-Bethlehem, Ornithogalum umbellatum ssp. umbellatum, which is introduced.

It grows in gardens where it is planted, and escapes into rough grassland, grass verges, roadside banks, open woods, preferring a dry, light sandy or gravelly soil. A perennial, it flowers April to June, and has naturalised across a lot of the UK, but is never common.

https://www.uknature.co.uk is a website dedicated to showing the immense diversity of UK nature and wildlife. Our vast range of habitats, from lowland arable to snow covered mountains, from storm-ravaged coastlines to peaceful inland freshwater lakes and rivers, from dry, sandy heaths to deciduous and coniferous forests, all these habitats contribute to the abundance of UK nature. We have wild birds in huge numbers either residing or visiting our shores (597 recorded species as at July 2013) and we must also not forget the humble back garden with its grass lawns, flower beds filled with nectar rich flowers, shrubs and trees, all designed to attract huge numbers of insects such as bees, moths, butterflies and hoverflies; and finally the small ponds which provide safe havens for frogs, toads, newts and even slow worms and grass snakes. www.uknature.co.uk is the showcase for my personal passion, photographing uknature in all its glory. I sincerely hope you all enjoy the fruits of my labours.