This beautiful starry plant is found in many places in England and in a
few in Scotland, but not in Ireland. It grows in meadows and pastures
and orchards in early summer.
The flowers grow singly on long stalks which branch near the top of the
main stem. There is always a withered-looking brown leaf at the base of
each flower-stalk.
The flowers have six large white petals, which are pointed at the tips.
The back of each petal is stained with bright green, except round the
edge, where it remains white.
There are six yellow-headed stamens clinging to the base of the white
petals. These stamens stand up in a circle round a fat green seed-vessel
which sits in the centre of the white petals. This seed-vessel has a
tiny pointed column in the middle.
The leaves of the Star of Bethlehem are very narrow. From the middle
each leaf tapers to a long point. These leaves are deeply channelled,
and they have a broad white stripe running down the centre.