common star-of-Bethlehem (Ornithogalum umbellatum) is in the agave and allies family (Asparagaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 7,039 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in May.
Nationally it blooms mainly from April to May, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph common star-of-Bethlehem: observations by month (U.S.)
About common star-of-Bethlehem
Ornithogalum umbellatum, the garden star-of-Bethlehem, grass lily, nap-at-noon, or eleven-o'clock lady, a species of the genus Ornithogalum, is a perennial bulbous flowering plant in the asparagus family (Asparagaceae). O. umbellatum is a relatively short plant, occurring in tufts of basal linear leaves, producing conspicuous white flowers, in a stellate pattern, in mid to late spring. The flowers open late in the day (hence some of its common names), but when closed have a green stripe on...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
common star-of-Bethlehem by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 829 | May | Apr–May |
| New York | 772 | May | May–May |
| Ohio | 614 | May | May–May |
| Kentucky | 484 | April | Apr–Apr |
| North Carolina | 406 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Maryland | 383 | May | Apr–May |
| Virginia | 380 | April | Apr–May |
| New Jersey | 344 | May | May–May |
| Tennessee | 320 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Massachusetts | 317 | May | May–May |
| Illinois | 266 | May | May–May |
| Missouri | 227 | April | Apr–May |
| Indiana | 207 | May | May–May |
| Connecticut | 171 | May | May–May |
| Michigan | 164 | May | May–May |
| Texas | 103 | April | Mar–Apr |
| Oklahoma | 98 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Delaware | 97 | May | Apr–May |
| Arkansas | 80 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Oregon | 71 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Wisconsin | 62 | May | May–May |
| Vermont | 58 | May | May–Jun |
| Utah | 54 | April | Apr–May |
| Alabama | 53 | April | Mar–Apr |
| Kansas | 47 | April | Apr–May |
| Washington | 47 | May | Apr–May |
| Maine | 46 | June | May–Jun |
| West Virginia | 46 | May | Apr–May |
| Rhode Island | 45 | May | May–May |
| District of Columbia | 42 | April | Apr–May |
| New Hampshire | 38 | May | May–Jun |
| Georgia | 37 | April | Mar–Apr |
| Iowa | 33 | May | May–May |
| South Carolina | 29 | April | Mar–Apr |
| Nebraska | 18 | May | May–May |
| Mississippi | 13 | April | Mar–Apr |
| Idaho | 12 | May | Apr–May |
| Minnesota | 11 | May | May–Jun |
| Colorado | 9 | May | May–May |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (agave and allies)
Photography tips
- Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
- Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
- Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
- Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph common star-of-Bethlehem?
Nationally, May has the most observations, with the main season from April to May.
Where is common star-of-Bethlehem most often seen?
The most observations come from Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio.