Ornithogalum nutans, also known as drooping star-of-Bethlehem, is considered invasive in some areas. Native to Europe and the Middle East, it has been introduced to North America where it can become invasive in some areas.
Ornithogalum nutans is a perennial bulbous plant with attractive, drooping, bell-shaped white flowers, which makes it appealing for ornamental use in gardens. However, it’s able to spread aggressively by both seeds and bulb offsets, quickly forming dense colonies that can displace native plants.
This plant can be particularly problematic in natural areas such as woodlands, where it may outcompete native spring-flowering plants. Its seeds are dispersed by ants, and it can survive in a range of conditions, making it difficult to control.
Drooping Star of Bethlehem is listed in the Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States.
According to the U.S Forest Service, Invasive species have contributed to the decline of 42% of U.S. endangered and threatened species and 18% of U.S. endangered or threatened species. Invasive species compete directly with native species for moisture, sunlight, nutrients, and space. They displace and alter native plant communities, degrade wildlife habitat and water quality, and potentially lead to increased soil erosion.
The federal government has estimated that nearly 25 percent of the 20,000 plant species native to North America are at risk of extinction, many of these through habitat loss. You can help reverse this trend by planting great native plants in your garden.
A plant is considered native if it occurs naturally in a particular region or ecosystem without human introduction. There are many benefits to growing native plants. First, these plants are better adapted to soils, moisture, and weather than exotic plants that evolved in other parts of the world. They need fewer fertilizers and pesticides or use less water. Second, they are unlikely to escape and become invasive, destroying natural habitats. Third, they support wildlife, providing shelter and food for native birds and insects, while exotic plants do not.
| Hardiness |
6 - 10 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones |
5 - 9 |
| Plant Type | Bulbs, Perennials |
| Genus | Ornithogalum |
| Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
| Season of Interest |
Spring (Mid, Late) |
| Native Plants | United States |
| Hardiness |
6 - 10 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones |
5 - 9 |
| Plant Type | Bulbs, Perennials |
| Genus | Ornithogalum |
| Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
| Season of Interest |
Spring (Mid, Late) |
| Native Plants | United States |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
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