Few flowers are as slender and elegant as the Ornithogalum. This striking, bulbous flower deserves pride of place!
Ornithogalum is a remarkable sight. The flowers look magnificent as cut flowers, but Ornithogalum is also great for borders. There are many different varieties. Ornithogalum arabicum and Ornithogalum saundersiae blossom with compact white flower heads. Ornithogalum thyrsoides (Chinkerinchee) also has white flowers, but its head is pyramid-shaped. Ornithogalum dubium is the odd one out; it blossoms with orange or yellow flowers.
Chinkerinchee
The name Ornithogalum is allegedly a combination of 'ornis' or 'ornithos' (bird) and 'galum' (milk). This explains the name 'bird milk'. But why bird milk? Maybe it's a reference to the white colour of the flowers? The name Chinkerinchee (Ornithogalum thyrsoides) is somewhat easier to explain. This Ornithogalum originates from South Africa. In addition, the sound of the dried seeds are evocative of the rustling wind.
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