The star-of-Bethlehem is a perennial plant native to southern Europe. Its genus is Ornithogalum, of the family Liliaceae. Growing from a bulb, it has grasslike basal leaves and a slender stalk, up to 30 cm tall, bearing clusters of star-shaped white flowers striped with green. There are numerous members of the genus, of which O. umbellatum is perhaps the best-known.
Because of its star-shaped flowers, it is named for the Star of Bethlehem that appeared in the Biblical account of the birth of Jesus.
de:Sten von Bethlehem