Ornithogalum umbellatum L.

Star of Bethlehem; Snowflake; Nap at Noon

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Nap at Noon is an introduced, herbaceous perennial from a bulb in the Hyacinth family (Hyacinthaceae). It is native to Europe, northern Africa, and the Middle East. It has been widely planted as an ornamental and has naturalized throughout North America. In Alabama it can be found statewide. Nap at Noon grows in lawns, in cemeteries, and on roadsides. It is a scapose perennial from a bulb. Leaves are linear, flat, glabrous, and entire. Flowers are produced in a flat-topped corymb. The flowers are erect, opening in sunny conditions and closing at night and on cloudy days. The flowers have 6 white tepals with green stripes on their lower sides. In bud they appear green with white stripes. The fruit is a sharply angled capsule with several black seed. Nap at Noon is widely available from nurseries that specialize in bulbs. It prefers a sunny location with moist, clayey soils and is deer resistant. It can be used in Alpine gardens or naturalized in lawns. It spreads rapidly from offsetting bulblets, and can become weedy. Nap at Noon is poisonous to humans and livestock, especially the bulbs and the flowers.—A. Diamond

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Not Native FACU (NWPL) G2? (Global Rank)

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