Arabian flowers, field onions, wonder flowers, dove’s dung, bird’s milk

Last updated: February 8, 2026Reviewed date: February 8, 2026Reading time: 12 min read

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Article Summary

Key Takeaways

This article explains Star of Bethlehem plant Scientific Classification in simple medical language.
This article explains Traditional uses and benefits of Star of Bethlehem plant in simple medical language.

Educational health guideWritten for patient understanding and clinical awareness.

Reviewed content workflowUse writer and reviewer profiles for stronger trust.

Emergency safety firstUrgent warning signs are highlighted below.

Seek urgent medical care if you notice

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Severe symptoms, breathing difficulty, fainting, confusion, or rapidly worsening illness.
New weakness, severe pain, high fever, or symptoms after a serious injury.
Any symptom that feels urgent, unusual, or unsafe for the patient.

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Use emergency care for severe, sudden, rapidly worsening, or life-threatening symptoms.

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Star of Bethlehem or Sleepy dick, scientifically known as Ornithogalum umbellatum is a member of the Liliaceae (Lily family) and is related to garlic and onions. The plant is native throughout north-western Africa (i.e. Algeria and Morocco), Europe (i.e. Austria, Belgium, Hungary, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Ukraine, Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Romania, Yugoslavia, France, Portugal, and Spain), and western Asia (i.e. Cyprus and Turkey). In North America, it has escaped its cultivation as a garden ornamental and can be found in many areas. The plant has got several common names including Arabian flowers, field onions, wonder flowers, dove’s dung, bird’s milk, chincherinchee, common star of Bethlehem, nap at noon, nap-at-noon, pigeon dung, sleepy Dick, sleepy-Dick, snowdrop, snowdrops, starflower, star of Bethlehem, summer snowflake, summer snowflake, and ten o’clock lady.

Star of Bethlehem plant facts

Name	Star of Bethlehem plant
Scientific Name	Ornithogalum umbellatum
Native	North-western Africa (i.e. Algeria and Morocco), Europe (i.e. Austria, Belgium, Hungary, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Ukraine, Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Romania, Yugoslavia, France, Portugal and Spain) and western Asia (i.e. Cyprus and Turkey)
Common Names	Bird’s milk, chincherinchee, common star of Bethlehem, dove’s dung, nap at noon, nap-at-noon, pigeon dung, sleepy Dick, sleepy-Dick, sleepydick, snowdrop, snowdrops, star flower, star of Bethlehem, starflower, star-of-Bethlehem, summer snowflake, summer snow flake, ten o’clock lady
Name in Other Languages	Albanian: Lulë dalldyshe, minikelä ombrelore, munikël Arabic: Sâsal, Zîtah, صاصل خيمي Basque: Oiloesne Bulgarian: Sennikov garvanski luk (сенников гарвански лук), chadŭrest garvanski luk (чадърест гарвански лук) Catalan: All de bruixa, Estrelleta de monja, Llet d’ocell, Llet de gallina, Llet de pardal, Ornitògal Chinese: San hua hu yan wan nian qing Croatian: Stitasto ptičje mlijeko Czech: Snědek chocholičnatý, snědek rozkladitý Danish: Kost-fuglemælk Dutch: Gewone vogelmelk, Ster van bethlehem English: Common star of Bethlehem, Sleepy-dick, Sleepydick, Star of Bethlehem, Garden star-of-Bethlehem, Nap-at-noon, Pyrenees star-of-Bethlehem, Summer snowflake, Gewone vogelmelk, Morgonstjrna, eleven o’clock lady, grass lily, dove’s dung, Jack-go-to-bed-at-noon, ten o’clock lady Estonian: Sarik-linnupiim Finnish: Sarjatähdikki, Beetlehemintähti French: Dame de onze heures, Ornithogale en ombelle, Dame donze heures, Dame de 11 heures, Ornithogale à ombelle, belle d’onze heures, étoile blanche German: Dolden-Milchstern, Doldiger milchstern, Vogelmilch, Stern von Bethlehem, Gewöhnlicher Dolden-Milchstern, Stern von Bethlehem, schmalblättriger Milchstern Greek: Ornithógalo (ορνιθόγαλο) Hebrew: Netz-chalav mefussak, נֵץ-חָלָב מְפֻשָּׂק, ernyős madártej Hungarian: Ernyős sárma Italian: Bella di undici ore, Dama d’ undici ore, Fior d’ undici ore, Latte d’uccello, Latte di gallina, cipollone bianco, latte di gallina comune Japanese: Orunitogarumu unberatumu, Ooamana (ōamana) オオアマナ（大甘菜）, ôamana (オオアマナ) Norwegian: Fuglestjerne Occitan: Bèla de jorn, Crotz de malta, Penitent blanc, Penitènt-blanc Persian: ارنیتگالوم آمبلاتوم Polish: Śniedek baldaszkowaty Portuguese: Estrela-de-Belém, leite-de-galinha Romanian: Balusca Russian: Ptitsemlechnik zontichnyi (птицемлечник зонтичный) Serbian: štitasti vranji luk (штитасти вранји лук) Slovak: Bledavka chocholíkatá, bledavka okolíkatá Slovene: Kobulasto ptičje mleko Sorbian: Łučny hwěžkan Spanish: Leche de gallina, Estrella de Belén, Leche de ave, Leche de pájaro, ajo de lobo, culebrilla ajera Swedish: Morgonstjärnor, Morgonstjärna, Stjärnlök, Sarjatähdikki, spärrmorgonstjärna Turkish: Sasal, Sunbala Mariam Ukrainian: Рястка зонтична
Plant Growth Habit	Short, herbaceous, perennial bulbous flowering plant
Growing Climates	Roadsides, open forests, cemetery prairies, grassy meadows, sunny or semi-shaded banks of rivers and streams and drainage ditches, and miscellaneous waste areas
Soil	Thrives in moderately fertile, moist and well-drained soil
Plant Size	0.2 to 0.3 m tall
Bulb	White and 15–25 millimeters (0.6–1.0 in) long and 18–32 mm (0.7–1.3 in) in diameter with fibrous roots at the base and increase to form large clumps. Each bulb can produce up to 7 auxiliary bulbs
Flower Stem	Leafless, cylindrical, erect, 100-300 mm tall
Leaf	6–10 leaves are narrow and linear, measuring 10-30 cm (4-12 in.) long and 2-5 mm (0.1-0.2 in.) wide. The leaves form a tuft from which a scape emerges.
Flowering season	April to May
Flower	Each flower has 6 petals and measures 1.5-2 cm (0.5-0.75 in.) in diameter. The outside of the flower is green with white margins.
Fruit Shape & Size	Capsules are sub globose in shape about 8–18 mm and 3-sided. Each locule contains many black seeds
Seed	Black, oval to spherical, 2 mm diameter. Surface rough and hairless
Propagation	Seeds, bulbils and bulbs
Plant Parts Used	Flowers, leaves
Season	June to July
Culinary Uses	Bulb can be consumed raw or cooked. The bulbs can be dried and ground into a powder. Flowers are baked and used in bread.

Star of Bethlehem plant Scientific Classification

Scientific Name: Ornithogalum umbellatum

Rank	Scientific Name & (Common Name)
Kingdom	Plantae (Plants)
Subkingdom	Tracheobionta (Vascular plants)
Infrakingdom	Streptophyta (land plants)
Superdivision	Spermatophyta (Seed plants)
Division	Magnoliophyta (Flowering plants)
Subdivision	Spermatophytina (spermatophytes, seed plants, phanérogames)
Class	Liliopsida (Monocotyledons)
Subclass	Liliidae
Superorder	Lilianae (monocots, monocotyledons, monocotyledons)
Order	Liliales
Family	Liliaceae (Lily family)
Genus	Ornithogalum L. (star of Bethlehem)
Species	Ornithogalum umbellatum L. (star of Bethlehem)
Synonyms	Hyacinthus umbellatus (L.) E.H.L.Krause Ornithogalum affine Boreau Ornithogalum angustifolium Boreau Ornithogalum boraeanum Jord. & Fourr. Ornithogalum campestre (Savi) Prain Ornithogalum cespititium Jord. & Fourr. Ornithogalum comosum subsp. garganicum (Ten.) Nyman Ornithogalum corymbosum Gaterau Ornithogalum dioscoridis Bubani Ornithogalum fasciculatum Timb.-Lagr. Ornithogalum garganicum Ten. Ornithogalum horologicum Stokes Ornithogalum minus L. Ornithogalum nanum Ten. Ornithogalum parviflorum Jord. & Fourr. Ornithogalum peyrei Timb.-Lagr. Ornithogalum praetextum Steven ex Kunth Ornithogalum preumbellatum Candargy Ornithogalum rusticum Jord. & Fourr. Ornithogalum stellare Salisb. Ornithogalum tardans Jord. & Fourr. Ornithogalum umbellatum subsp. angustifolium (Boreau) P.D.Sell Ornithogalum umbellatum subsp. campestre (Savi) Rouy Ornithogalum umbellatum var. angustifolium (Boreau) Gren. & Godr. Ornithogalum umbellatum var. angustifolium Rouy, 1910 Ornithogalum umbellatum var. minus (L.) Asch. & Graebn. Ornithogalum umbellatum var. nanum Nyman Ornithogalum vulgare Sailer Scilla campestris Savi Stellaris corymbosa (Gaterau) Moench

Genus name comes from the Greek words ornis meaning a bird and gala meaning the milk for the white flowers. Specific epithet refers to the flowers being in an umbel. The common name of the plant, ‘Star of Bethlehem’, is based on its star-shaped flowers and referred to the Star of Bethlehem that appeared in the biblical account of Jesus’ birth. It is recorded that the Swedes have eaten this bulb in times of shortage. Round the main small bulb there are usually a number of bulbules about the size of sago grains, but only the parent bulb is enclosed in a yellowish outer skin. Some states regard them as noxious weeds & wetlands invaders. We have patches of them in our gardens that we never planted, but which we’ve made no attempt to eradicate, as they’re really quite lovely. This species is listed as a Class C Noxious Weed in the State of Alabama.

Plant description

Star of Bethlehem plant is a short, herbaceous, perennial bulbous flowering plant that grows about 0.2 to 0.3 m tall. The plant is found growing in roadsides, open forests, cemetery prairies, grassy meadows, sunny or semi-shaded banks of rivers and streams and drainage ditches, and miscellaneous waste areas. The plant thrives in moderately fertile, moist and well-drained soil. The plant has white bulb which is 15–25 millimeters (0.6–1.0 in) long and 18–32 mm (0.7–1.3 in) in diameter with fibrous roots at the base and increase to form large clumps. Each bulb can produce up to 7 secondary bulbs. The coat of the bulb is membranous. Flowering stem is leafless, cylindrical, erect and 100-300 mm tall.

Leaves

Plant has 6–10 leaves that are narrow and linear, measuring 10-30 cm (4-12 in.) long and 2-5 mm (0.1-0.2 in.) wide. The leaves form a tuft from which a scape emerges. It has a waxy surface and is dark green in color with a white mid-rib. They are hollow and tend to arch over as they grow longer.

Flower

The white, star-shaped flowers are borne on a scape that can grow up to 30 cm (1 ft.) in height, but is usually shorter. The umbel-like raceme consists of 3-10 flowers. Each flower has 6 petals and measures 1.5-2 cm (0.5-0.75 in.) in diameter. The outside of the flower is green with white margins. The flowers appear on the plant from April to May. The blooming period occurs during the late spring and lasts about 2 weeks. There is a pleasant floral scent. The flowers open during the morning and usually close by noon.

Fruit

Each fertile flower is replaced by a 3-celled seed capsule that is sub-globose in shape about 8–18 mm long. Each locule contains many black seeds. Seeds are black, oval to spherical, 2 mm diameter. Surface is rough and hairless.

Traditional uses and benefits of Star of Bethlehem plant

Plant’s extract is used as a sedative, for the treatment of nervous breakdown, suicidal behavior in people with depression or sadness and intestinal disorders (gases).
A homeopathic remedy is made from bulbs.
It is useful in the treatment of certain forms of cancer.
It is also one of the five ingredients in the Rescue remedy.
It is applied externally to the skin against ulcers and blisters.
In folk medicine, it is used to improve cardiac function and treat pulmonary edema and fluid retention, especially against leg swelling.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaEnAoAecC4

Precautions

Skin contact with the bulb can cause dermatitis in sensitive people.
The bulb consists of alkaloids and is poisonous.
Bulb is poisonous to grazing animals.
Plant is known to be poisonous causing nausea, vomiting, stomach and intestinal irritation, burning, dilated pupils, tremors, seizures, shortness of breath, swelling of the lips, tongue and throat, abnormal heart rate, cardiac arrest, and death.
The whole plant is poisonous and its consumption may cause skin irritation, nausea, salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, dyspnea (shortness of breath), and pain, swelling of lips, tongue and throat.

Common star of Bethlehem plant Management

Identification and awareness of Star of Bethlehem, together with good farm hygiene, are important for handling the weed due to the limited control options available.

As spread is mostly by means of machinery, farm hygiene is imperative to prevent the spread of Star of Bethlehem. Thoroughly wash machinery when moving from areas of known infestations and avoid the areas altogether where possible, e.g. sow around infestations.

Physical removal of bulbs is the most effective form of eradication however it is only practical for small infestations. Once the infested area becomes too large for physical removal, control is very difficult. Star of Bethlehem is near impossible to control in winter crops and pastures and severe infestations are likely to need a complete crop or pasture renovation.

There are no herbicides listed for the control of Star of Bethlehem in dry land cropping systems in New South Wales. Some are registered for use in Sugar Cane in New South Wales and some are registered in Queensland for other situations however the efficacy is variable.

A small amount of research (mostly in America) has been carried out to evaluate herbicides for the control of Star of Bethlehem. The results indicate that Gramoxone® is the only herbicide to provide effective control the season following herbicide application.

References

Safety note: This is not a prescription or diagnosis. For severe symptoms, pregnancy danger signs, children with serious illness, chest pain, breathing difficulty, stroke-like weakness, or major injury, seek urgent care.

Which doctor may help?

Start with a registered doctor or the nearest qualified health center.

What to tell the doctor

Write when the problem started and how it changed.
Bring old prescriptions, investigation reports, and current medicines.
Write allergies, pregnancy status, diabetes, kidney/liver disease, and major past illnesses.
Bring one family member if the patient is weak, elderly, confused, or a child.

Questions to ask

What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
Which danger signs mean I should go to hospital quickly?
Which tests are necessary now, and which can wait?
How should I take medicines safely and what side effects should I watch for?
When should I come for follow-up?

Tests to discuss

Vital signs: temperature, pulse, blood pressure, oxygen saturation
Basic physical examination by a clinician
CBC, urine test, blood sugar, or imaging only when clinically needed

Avoid these mistakes

Do not use antibiotics, steroid tablets/injections, or strong painkillers without proper medical advice.
Do not hide pregnancy, kidney disease, ulcer, allergy, or blood thinner use.
Do not delay emergency care when danger signs are present.

Medicine safety and first-aid guide

This section is for patient education only. It does not replace a doctor, pharmacist, or emergency care.

Safe first steps

Stop activity and seek urgent medical evaluation.
Chest pain should not be managed only with home medicine.
Discuss ECG and cardiac blood tests with emergency care when appropriate.

OTC medicine safety

Do not take random painkillers to hide chest pain before medical evaluation.

Avoid these mistakes

Do not start antibiotics without a proper medical decision.
Do not use steroid tablets or injections casually for quick relief.
Do not delay emergency care because of home remedies.

Get urgent help if

Chest pressure, sweating, breathlessness, fainting, pain spreading to arm/jaw/back, or known heart disease needs emergency care.

Medicine names, dose, and timing must be decided by a qualified clinician or pharmacist after checking age, pregnancy, allergy, other diseases, and current medicines.

For rural patients and family caregivers

Patient health record and symptom diary

Write your symptoms, medicines already taken, test results, and questions before visiting a doctor. This note stays on your device unless you print or copy it.

Doctor to discuss: Doctor / qualified healthcare provider

Tests to discuss with doctor

Basic vital signs: temperature, pulse, blood pressure, oxygen level if needed
Relevant blood, urine, imaging, or specialist tests only after clinical assessment

Questions to ask

What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
Which warning signs mean I should go to emergency care?
Which tests are really needed now?
Which medicines are safe for my age, pregnancy status, allergy, kidney/liver/stomach condition, and current medicines?

Emergency warning signs such as chest pain, severe breathing difficulty, sudden weakness, confusion, severe dehydration, major injury, or loss of bladder/bowel control need urgent medical care. Do not wait for online information.

Go to emergency care if you notice:

Severe or rapidly worsening symptoms
Breathing difficulty, chest pain, fainting, confusion, severe weakness, major injury, or severe dehydration

Doctor / service to discuss: Qualified healthcare provider; specialist depends on symptoms and examination.

Step 1
Check danger signs first
If danger signs are present, seek emergency care and do not wait for online information.
Step 2
Record the symptom story
Write when symptoms started, severity, medicines already taken, allergies, pregnancy status, and test results.
Step 3
Visit a qualified clinician
A doctor, nurse, or qualified healthcare provider can examine you and decide which tests or treatment are needed.
Step 4
Do only useful tests
Do tests after clinical assessment. Avoid unnecessary tests, random antibiotics, or repeated medicines without diagnosis.
Step 5
Follow up and return early if worse
If symptoms worsen, new warning signs appear, or treatment is not helping, return for review quickly.

Rural patient practical tips

Take a written symptom diary and all previous prescriptions/test reports.
Do not hide medicines already taken, even herbal or over-the-counter medicines.
Ask which warning signs mean urgent referral to hospital.

This roadmap is for education. A real diagnosis and treatment plan requires history, examination, and clinical judgment.

RX Patient Help

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Write your symptom story. A health professional or site editor can review it before any answer is prepared. This box is not for emergency care.

Emergency first: Severe chest pain, breathing trouble, unconsciousness, stroke signs, severe injury, heavy bleeding, or rapidly worsening symptoms need urgent local medical care now.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this article a replacement for a doctor?

No. It is educational content only. Patients should consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis and treatment.

When should I seek urgent care?

Seek urgent care for severe symptoms, rapidly worsening condition, breathing difficulty, severe pain, neurological changes, or any emergency warning sign.