1 84 WILD FLOWERS OF THE BRITISH ISLES 
Very common. In woods and shady places ; throughout England, Scotland, and Ireland. 
May — June. Perennial. 
IX. SIMETHIS. Kunth. — A genus containing the one following species : — 
Variegated Simethis, Bournemouth Lily. (Simethis planifolia. Gren. and Godr.)— 
Flowers white, tinged on the back with dull purple, in a very loose branched cluster (panicle) 
terminating a leafless stem from the root (scape). Perianth of 6 spreading free lobes, inserted 
below the seedcase (inferior) ; stamens 6, with bearded filaments, inserted on the base of the 
perianth ; carpels 3, united into a seedcase, 1 thread-like style, and a minute stigma ; fruit a 
capsule, 3-celled, with 2 seeds in each cell, opening by 3 valves down the middle of the cells 
(loculicidally). The flowering stem 6-18 inches high ; and the leaves strap-shaped (linear), 
pointed, flat, and slightly keeled at the tip, all from the root ; with a root which differs from all the 
other species with capsular fruits in this order, except the Bog and Scottish Asphodels, in not 
being bulbous but having a root of numerous fleshy thick fibres. ( Simethis bicolor. Kunth. ; 
Pubilaria bicolor. Raf.) [ Plate 60. 
Very rare. On sandy heaths, in fir woods ; formerly at Bournemouth, and in County Kerry. 
May — June. Perennial. 
X. STAR OF BETHLEHEM. (ORNITHOGALUM. Linn.) — Flowers rather large, stalked, 
white or yellow, with a small bract at the base of each flower, in a terminal cluster on a stalk from 
the root (scape). Perianth of 6 free lobes, more or less spreading, inserted below the seedcase 
(inferior) ; stamens 6, with wide flattened filaments, adhering to the base of the perianth ; carpels 
3, united into a seedcase, 1 style, and a minute stigma ; fruit a capsule, 3-celled, few-seeded, 
opening by 3 valves down the middle of the cells (loculicidally). Herbs with strap-shaped 
leaves all from the bulbous root and not sheathing the stem. 
(1) ^Drooping Star of Bethlehem. (Ornithogalum nutans.) — Flower-cluster short and 
drooping. 
(2) ^Common Star of Bethlehem. (Ornithogalum umbellatum.) — Flower-cluster flat on 
the top. 
(3) Spiked Star of Bethlehem. (Ornithogdlum pyrenai'cum.) — Flower-cluster long and 
spike-like. 
1. *Drooping Star of Bethlehem. (Ornithogalum nutans. Linn.)— As just 
described. The flowers are few, large, each perianth-lobe i-i£ inches long, white, greenish 
outside, with long bracts at the base of each flower, in a loose, short, drooping cluster (raceme) 
terminating a leafless stalk (scape) 9-18 inches high; and the leaves are strap-shaped and 
pointed. 
Not a native, rare. Naturalised in fields and orchards ; in various counties in England. April — 
May. Biennial. 
2. ^Common Star of Bethlehem. (Ornithogdlum umbell&tum. Linn.)— Flowers 
few, erect, the perianth-lobes f inch long, white with a broad green stripe down the back, 
with a small bract at the base of each flower, in a flattened cluster (corymbose raceme) 
terminating a leafless stem 6 inches to 1 foot high ; with long narrow flaccid leaves from 
the bulb. 
Not a native. In meadows and pastures ; well established in many counties in England and a few 
in Scotland. April — May. Perennial. 
