Flora of New Zealand Series

Star of Bethlehem

Clump-forming, green or glaucous, usually glabrous, 10-30 cm high. Bulb to 3 cm diam.; bulbils many. Leaves 6-9, 8-30 cm × 2-6 mm, usually > scape, deeply channelled with white shining median line. Bracts membranous, to 5 cm long, linear-lanceolate. Flowers 6-20, in a corymbose raceme, pedicels spreading, lowest to 6 cm long, ± horizontal after flowering; segments 15-20 mm long, white with green median stripe externally, persistent and membranous at fruiting. Capsule oblong-obovoid, 6-angled.

S. Canterbury - Rangiora, Kaiapoi, near Christchurch, Ashburton; Otago - Clyde. Escape from gardens and planting in cemeteries.

(Europe, N. Africa, W. Asia)

First record: Healy 1958: 543.

First collection: "Near Rangiora, garden escape in drive and pathways, A. J. Healy 56/148, 16.10.1956, escaped from plantings in cemetery" ().

FL. 10-11.