Ornithogalum pyrenaicum L.
Bath Asparagus
Bath asparagus, also called spiked star-of-Bethlehem, is a native British bulb, rare and very local in the wild and most strongly associated with the countryside around Bath, extending into Somerset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire with a small outlying population further east. A member of the asparagus family, it sends up a tall, slender stem bearing a long, narrow spike of many small, six-pointed, greenish to creamy-yellow star-shaped flowers, the lower ones opening first.
About
Bath asparagus, also called spiked star-of-Bethlehem, is a native British bulb, rare and very local in the wild and most strongly associated with the countryside around Bath, extending into Somerset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire with a small outlying population further east. A member of the asparagus family, it sends up a tall, slender stem bearing a long, narrow spike of many small, six-pointed, greenish to creamy-yellow star-shaped flowers, the lower ones opening first. Its grassy basal leaves often wither by flowering time.
It grows on lime-rich soils in ash and elm woodland, hedge banks, green lanes and grassy road verges, in sun or light shade. Flowering in early summer, the flowers attract bees and other insects. Historically the young, unopened flowering shoots were gathered and sold in Bath markets to be cooked like asparagus, hence the local name. Given its scarcity in the wild, it is valued for conservation and for shadier, calcareous wildlife plantings.
Also known as
Pyrenees star of Bethlehem · Spiked Star-Of-Bethlehem · Spiked Star-of-Bethlehem
Synonyms
Anthericum sulphureum · Beryllis pyrenaica · Hyacinthus sulphureus · Loncomelos pallidum · Loncomelos pyrenaicum · Loncomelos pyrenaicus · Loncomelos pyrenaicus pyrenaicus · Loncoxis sulfurea · Loncoxis sulphurea · Ornithogalum asphodeloides · Ornithogalum flavescens
Beta — under active development. This catalogue is still being built and accuracy-checked. The information here (including plant identifications, British native status, soil and sun/shade preferences) is provided in good faith for general guidance only and may contain errors or omissions. It must not be relied upon on its own — please confirm details with us before making planting, specification, foraging or purchasing decisions, and never eat or medicinally use any plant based on this catalogue alone, as some species are toxic. To the extent permitted by law, Phoenix Amenity Supplies accepts no liability for any loss arising from use of this information.