Ornithogalum dubium
| Ornithogalum dubium | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Asparagaceae |
| Subfamily: | Scilloideae |
| Tribe: | Ornithogaleae |
| Genus: | Ornithogalum |
| Species: | O. dubium
|
| Binomial name | |
| Ornithogalum dubium | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
Ornithogalum dubium, common names sun star or star of Bethlehem, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae. It is a South African (Cape Province) endemic.
The Latin specific epithet dubium means "dubious" or "unlike others of the genus".[2]
Description
Growing to 50 cm (20 in) tall, O. dubium is a bulbous perennial with 3-8 yellowish green leaves. The leaf margins are ciliate with scapes 10–25 cm (4–10 in) long. The flowers are borne in winter or spring, in cylindrical to almost spherical racemes consisting of 5-25 flowers. The tepals may be orange, red, yellow or rarely white, often with a green or brown center.
Cultivation
O. dubium is frost-tender and is best overwintered in a dry, frost-free place, then re-potted in spring. The main soil requirement is excellent drainage, with ample water early in the growth cycle, but dry during the dormant season.[3]
This plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[4]
References
- ^ The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species, retrieved 1 October 2016
- ^ Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. p. 224. ISBN 9781845337315.
- ^ "Southern African Ornithogalum". Pacific Bulb Society. Retrieved 17 July 2013.
- ^ "RHS Plant Selector - Ornithogalum dubium". Retrieved 17 July 2013.
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