Ornithogalum biflorum (Ruiz & Pav.) Don

Horticultural & Botanical History

Introduced from Chile and Peru in 1832.  [JD].  ‘A native of Chili: we received it [Ornithogalum bifolium] from Mr. Cumming in the spring of 1831, and it flowered in August following.  Its height does not exceed a few inches.  The flowers are of a delicate white.  We have kept it in a greenhouse, but it will probably bear the winter in a sheltered place out of doors.  It will increase by offsets from the bulbs.’  [LBC no.1802/1832].

History at Camden Park

Listed in all published catalogues [B.361/1843].  Ornithogalum biflorum is probably the plant grown by Macarthur as he listed Scilla biflora in a handwritten note in an 1850 catalogue.  [MP A2947A].

Notes

A less likely possibility is Ornithogalum arabicum L., synonym Ornithogalum corymbosum Ruiz & Pav., common name Peruvian star of Bethlehem.  Originally from the Mediterranean region it is naturalised in Chile and Peru.  It has thick, fleshy, linear leaves, to 2.5cm broad, and roundish 6-12-flowered racemes of large, aromatic white flowers with a black centre.  To 60cm.  [RHSD, Hortus].

‘It must be allowed that no distinctive character can be pointed out; and I cannot help suspecting, that it was introduced into Chili (where it is apparently wild) and into Peru (where it is only cultivated in gardens) […] by the early Spanish visitors.’  [BM t.3179/1832].  ‘That it is wild in Chili cannot be doubted.’  [BR f.906/1825].