Where are the early flowerers’ reserves?
Photo: Arne Ader
Translation: Liis
Yellow Star of Bethlehem
Yellow Star of Bethlehem
Kollane kuldtäht Gagea lutea
Plants that have stored nutrients for their development can flower early, before trees come into leaf. In broadleaf and mixed forests and wooded meadows but also in the grass in gardens and parks a lily relative is about to flower. The light-loving yellow Star of Bethlehem is almost the only native early-spring bulb flower – its stores are hidden in the bulb.
The Gageas (the yellow Star of Bethlehem and least gagea, Gagea minima) seem airy and fragile, with brilliant star flowers at the top of a thin stalk. The colour of the flowers can vary to a greenish shade. The Star of Bethlehem doesn’t have its flowers set densely but where it grows in large groups and the light is just right the forest floor can turn into shining gold – the time for it comes in May.
And it is worthwhile to pay attention to the surroundings: where the yellow Star of Bethlehem grows we can find another early spring flowerer – the bird-in-a-bush (Corydalis solida).
Tags: 
