Illinois Natural History Survey - University of Illinois

Ornithogalum umbellatum
Dove's dung
Taxonomy

Synonyms:

Subspecific taxa:

Classification:

Other taxonomic & nomenclature sources: USDA PlantsITISThe Plant ListIPNI

Images

   
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Species Distribution
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County Map Legend
Absent:
Not known from county
Medium confidence:
Medium or unknown confidence;
often old records or unverifiable observations
Medium-high confidence:
Often observations by expert botanists
High confidence:
Often vouchered herbarium records
Planted / introduced:
Native species introduced outside historic range,
or only in planted locations within county (e.g., restorations)
Historic / extirpated:
Only historic records for the species; likely extirpated
(Note that this category is not yet functional)

North American distribution maps for this species: FLNAUSDA PlantsBONAPBISON

Collections, Observations & Flowering by Month [?]

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Collections & Observations by Decade [?]

Species Status

Status/Listing: No Information

Notes:

Origin: Europe

Species Description

General: Monocot, perennial

Roots:

Shoots: basal leaf arrangment; simple leaf type; entire leaf margin; Parallel leaf venation; awl-shaped, linear, oblong leaf shape

Inflorescence: raceme

Flowers: perfect; 3 merous; complete, regular; green, white; hypogynous ovary position

Fruit: capsule

Physiology: autotrophic

Reproduction: sexual, vegetative

Ecology & Natural History

Habitat: Species is distributed in open fields, grassy areas, along railroad tracks, roadsides, rocky grazed slopes, shaded banks, alluvial soils in wooded valleys along streams.

ILPIN Notes: This is a potentially poisonous species; the related O. thyrsoides Jacq., from South Africa, is sold by florists as Chincherinchee, which is poisonous to people and animals. It is often planted as an ornamental. According to one author, even though some claim this species is edible, it should be avoided -- all parts are poisonous. However, Medsger says "bulbs are pleasnt and nutritious when cooked. They are often eaten in eastern Europe and western Asia." Ref. 27 says species is poisonous..., as does Stephens -- alkaloids found in all parts. Species escaped from cultivation in gardens, roadsides, and occasional fields and woods. Stephens, H.A. 1980. Poisonous Plants of the Central United States. Regent Press of Kansas. Lawrence, KA. 165 pp.

Functional Relationships:

  • Pollinators:
  • Dispersal:
  • Mycorrhizae:
  • N2 fixation:

Human Relationships:

  • Edibility [?] :
  • Showy Flowers:

Wildlife and Livestock Information:

  • Food Value:
  • Cover Value:

Coefficient of Conservatism (C-value) [?] :

  • Entire State:
  • Chicago Area:

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