Guernsey star-of-Bethlehem Allium neapolitanum
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Allium cowanii
- Phonetic Spelling
- AL-ee-um nee-ah-pol-ih-TAY-num
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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White garlic is a bulb in the Amaryllis family that is native to the Mediterranean region. It has naturalized in CA, AL, GA and Florida. It is considered invasive in parts of the country.
The plant has clusters of white flowers with yellow anthers in May-June atop strap-like green leaves. The bulbs naturalize easily with off-sets
Plant in well-drained soils in full sun. Use in rock gardens, naturalized areas or cottage gardens.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. Bulb mites can occur.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Allium
- Species:
- neapolitanum
- Family:
- Amaryllidaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Bulb
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southern Europe and northern Africa
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- deer, rabbit drought
- Edibility:
- Leaves, bulbs, and bulblets are edible. However, the plant also has poisonous characteristics as noted in the "Poisonous to Humans" section of this record. Toxicity can depend on the age of the person or animal, the age of the plant, the part of the plant ingested, how much is ingested, whether the person or animal has sensitivities or allergies, whether it's eaten raw or cooked, and so forth. Consult with a medical professional for further details.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Bulb
- Poisonous
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Umbel
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Radial
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- White flowers with yellow anthers in 3-4 inch clusters in spring to early summer. Individual flowers are small, 6-parted and star-shaped.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are basal 20" long and 1" wide, slender and flat. Smells of garlic or onion.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Slightly winged green stem
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Rabbits
- Problems:
- Weedy
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Low
- Poison Symptoms:
- Poisonous through ingestion. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. (Poison parts: All parts; bulbs, bulblets, flowers, and stems)
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Sulfides
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Seeds
- Stems
