star-of-bethlehem: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowSpecialised / Botanical / Literary
Quick answer
What does “star-of-bethlehem” mean?
A small perennial flowering plant (genus Ornithogalum) with white star-shaped flowers, often with green undersides, named for its star-like appearance and biblical associations.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small perennial flowering plant (genus Ornithogalum) with white star-shaped flowers, often with green undersides, named for its star-like appearance and biblical associations.
The term can also refer to other plants with star-shaped flowers, especially those in the Ornithogalum family. It is sometimes used more broadly as a common name for plants whose flowers are seen as star-like, such as certain species of Campanula. In Christian tradition, it is sometimes associated with the Star of Bethlehem that guided the Magi.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or application. It is a standard common plant name in both horticulture and floras.
Connotations
In both varieties, it carries connotations of simple beauty, wildflowers, and the biblical narrative. It is not a term with strong regional cultural baggage.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both dialects, confined to specialist contexts (gardening, botany, floristry) and poetic language.
Grammar
How to Use “star-of-bethlehem” in a Sentence
The [ADJ] star-of-bethlehem [VERBed] in the meadow.She planted [QUANTIFIER] star-of-bethlehem bulbs.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “star-of-bethlehem” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The star-of-bethlehem bulbs need chilling.
- A star-of-bethlehem display.
American English
- The star-of-bethlehem corms naturalize well.
- A star-of-bethlehem cultivar.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in botanical papers, horticultural studies, and floras to refer to specific plants in the genus Ornithogalum.
Everyday
Rare. Might be used by gardeners, in flower shops, or in poetic descriptions of a garden or landscape.
Technical
A precise common name for a group of bulbous perennial plants, important for clear identification in botany and horticulture.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “star-of-bethlehem”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “star-of-bethlehem”
- Using it as a countable noun without an article (e.g., 'I saw star-of-bethlehem') – it typically requires an article or quantifier ('a star-of-bethlehem', 'some star-of-bethlehem').
- Capitalising all words: it is usually written in lowercase with hyphens.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, all parts of Ornithogalum species (star-of-bethlehem) are toxic if ingested, containing cardiac glycosides.
Yes, it is a common garden plant grown from bulbs, but be cautious as some species can spread aggressively.
The name is derived from the Star of Bethlehem from the Nativity story, due to the flower's star-like shape.
No, in a Christmas context, it refers to the celestial star from the biblical story. The plant is named after it, but they are different referents.
A small perennial flowering plant (genus Ornithogalum) with white star-shaped flowers, often with green undersides, named for its star-like appearance and biblical associations.
Star-of-bethlehem is usually specialised / botanical / literary in register.
Star-of-bethlehem: in British English it is pronounced /ˌstɑːr əv ˈbeθlɪhɛm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌstɑːr əv ˈbeθliˌhɛm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the biblical 'Star of Bethlehem' that was a guiding light. The plant's flowers look like tiny white stars that have 'come down' to Earth in the grass.
Conceptual Metaphor
A STAR IS A FLOWER (and vice versa): The plant's form maps the conceptual structure of a celestial star (points, radiance, guidance) onto a terrestrial object.
Practice
Quiz
In which context are you MOST likely to encounter the term 'star-of-bethlehem'?