Ornithogalum mystery
Jane McGary (Thu, 06 May 2010 17:40:50 PDT)

Boyce asked,

This mystery bulb appears to be Ornithogalum nutans but the flowers lack
the broad green marking on the outside of the tepals. The leaves are
broad, for an Ornithogalum and relatively flaccid. It has been growing
in a partially shaded situation for a number of years.

Are there forms of O. nutans that lack the broad green stripe on the
outside of the petals?

I don't find mention of any such form, though presumably it is possible.

The only other Ornithogalum I grow here that has pendent flowers is
O. reverchonii, which does have quite long, broad, flaccid leaves.
However, it would surprise me very much to find this plant -- which
is endemic to a small part of the French Riviera -- surviving
outdoors in Chicago. Its flowers are not as big as those of O. nutans.

Jane McGary