Ornithogalum nutans, known as drooping star-of-Bethlehem, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asparagaceae, native to Europe and South West Asia. It is a bulbous perennial growing to 20- tall by 5cm (02inches) wide, with strap-shaped leaves and green striped, pendent grey-white flowers in spring.[1] It is cultivated, and has naturalized, outside its native range, for example in North America.[2] [3] It has become extremely invasive along the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal in Maryland. At least in North America, it is not as common as Ornithogalum umbellatum.[2]
The specific epithet nutans means "nodding", referring to the flowers' slightly drooping habit.[4]
O. nutans is hardy to USDA Zones 6–10.[5] It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[6] [7]