Ornithogalum umbellatum

Ornithogalum umbellatum

Star of Bethlehem

Dame d’onze-heure, Ornithogale en ombelle

Native to Mediterranean region; considered invasive in some areas of the U.S.

Umbel-like raceme contains 3-10 flowers

Leaf: linear, channeled with white central stripe along the top surface

Bloom

In Situ, Lacoste valley, 4.25.13

Gemeiner Milchstern illustration, 1796

 

  

Orchis purpurea

Orchis purpurea
Lady orchid
Orchis pourpre

3-6 basal leaves is most common

Dense inflorescence may have up to 100 flowers

Stem: green at the base, becoming increasingly purple towards the flower spike

‘Orchid’ derives from the Greek ‘orkhis’, meaning testicle, because of the shape of the underground tubers

Bloom 5.07.13

In Situ, Lacoste, 5.07.13

Fading Bloom 4.08.13

Fall, Lacoste, 11.02.14