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Virtual walk >
May 24 >
Star-of-Bethlehem
![[Star-of-Bethlehem flower]](starofbethlehem_7067.jpg)
Right at the edge of the amphibian pond is this Star-of-Bethlehem
(Ornithogalum umbellatum). This member
of the Lily Family (Liliaceae)
is an alien species and one which was not included in the 1999
baseline study inventory of plants on the site. It seems that it
has just come into bloom this week, because it was not noticeable
before.
![[Star-of-Bethlehem plants]](star_7071.jpg)
This wildflower is not restricted to the single example at the edge of
the pond. Alongside the south part of the bark mulch path, there is
a large clump of it in full bloom this week, as shown in this second picture.
![[Water on the mulch path]](path_7195.jpg)
After all of the rain in the last week, a large part of the south
half of the mulch path is under water. This problem may be endemic
to this spot, judging by the pond plants growing close to the path,
but hopefully a few more wood chips will raise the path out of the
water.
Next stop: Flowering shrubs