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Species Spiked star of Bethlehem - Ornithogalum pyrenaicum, plant
Habitat ASH MAPLE WOODLAND
Background and status One of three plants named after the star which marked the Nativity, it is an elegant plant (a member of the lily family) with long, lax, slender greyish-green leaves and a tall (up to 100cm) stem which bears numerous small whitish-green star-like flowers in a loose spike, It blooms in June and July. It is a perennial, storing nutrients in a underground bulb (like bluebells). It is found on calcareous and clay soils in woods and hedgebanks. In some ancient woodlands it can be abundant (its alternative common name derives from the past habit of the people of Bath who picked the unopened flower-spikes in May for sale as a delicacy).

It is very scarce, found in fewer than 100 different 10 km squares in the British Isles. Now very local in southern and central England. SW England is a stronghold for this species and its survival depends upon the continued existence and appropriate management of its habitat. Where present it can be 'frequent' to 'locally abundant'. According to Grigson (1958) the plant was confined to just seven counties in the UK - Somerset, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Berkshire, Sussex, Norfolk and Bedfordshire. Now mostly restricted to (ex) Avon and Wiltshire, though also found from east Somerset through to Wiltshire and out of SW England in other counties of southern and central England. Also found in suitable woodlands in Europe.

Main Threats

In its woodland habitats the main threats include fragmentation, isolation and further losses of ash-maple woodlands as well as inappropriate management (eg, continued presence or planting of conifers, re-stocking).

As, in some places, the plant is also found on hedgebanks, agricultural and other impacts such as spraying or removal are a danger.
Conservation and targets

Minimise any further losses of ancient ash-maple woodland and hedgebank habitats.

Ensure appropriate management for existing woodland sites.

Increase extent of ash-maple woodland by 10% through removal of conifers on ancient sites.

Increase extent of ash-maple woodland by 10% through new planting to expand existing ancient woods or link existing semi-natural habitats.