let me touch this

Ornithogalum umbellatum, the garden star-of-Bethlehem

May 07, 2026

As Spring’s darling, garden star-of-Bethlehem’s snowy petals emerge from late-May to early-June — after first appearing as tufts of leaves — blooming just before the warmth of summer arrives.

Such as life, garden star-of-Bethlehem reminds us that the beauty and transformative blossoming of each Spring is only truly appreciated and cherished when preceded by a cold Winter — a cold winter is necessary for the star to complete a full life cycle.

Reminding us of the lazy summer days ahead, spent blissfully sunbathing or napping in the blinding light of the sun, garden star-of-Bethlehem’s petals open at noon and close as night approaches.

let me touch this highlights the beauty and wonder plantlife inspires throughout the changing seasons — of each month — of each year — we have the privilege of experiencing.

Our first guest: Ornithogalum umbellatum, the garden star-of-Bethlehem

Etymology

Aside from its common garden star-of-Bethlehem, my favorites include:summer snowflake, snowdrop, starflower, bird's milk, chinkerichee, and Bath asparagus.

Some of the less common names refer to the color and arrangement of the petals, while bird’s milk is a literal translation of ornithogalum — perennial plants native to Southern Europe and Southern Africa — belonging to the Asparagus family.

Garden star-of-Bethlehem is also known as dove’s dung, signaling its association with a plant described in the bible.

2 Kings 6:25 relates the siege of Samaria: “There was a great famine in Samaria; and behold, they besieged it, until a donkey's head was sold for eighty shekels of silver, and a fourth of a kab of dove's dung for five shekels of silver.”

It is thought that Ornithogalum umbellatum grew abundantly in Palestine and its white color resembled the excrement of birds — at this time, the plant was consumed primarily by the poor throughout the region.

A Famine in Samaria (c.1866) by Gustave Dore – Artchive — Famine of Samaria, illustrated by Gustave Dore

John Gerard's illustration — Illustration by John Gerard, 1597

Cultivation

Can be grown indoor and outdoor — but requires considerable moisture throughout the winter and spring and is considered invasive.

Entire plant after digging up — Plant with bulb

Use

Garden star-of-Bethlehem has been described as edible for over 2,000 years — incorporated in traditional Turkish cuisine and used for Indian medicinal practices.

Drying, grinding, or boiling the bulbs or baking the flower petals into bread are common.

Symbolism

Culturally associated with concepts of purity, hope, atonement, and reconciliation.