Gagea lutea aka Yellow Star Of Bethlehem

Gagea lutea is a small bulb in the lily family, Liliaceae. Its common name is yellow star of Bethlehem. Its native range runs from Europe across Asia to Japan. It grows in temperate regions and is native to Britain and Ireland. There, it occurs in scattered sites rather than throughout the country. Wild habitats include damp woods, hedges, rough pasture, and ground near water.

The plant forms a tuft and loses its leaves seasonally. Each bulb makes one narrow leaf and one flower stem. The leaf is dark green, with a glossy surface. Flower stems reach about 0.3–0.7 feet (0.1–0.2 metres) high. A small umbel holds yellow flowers above the leaf. Each flower has a star-like shape. The flowers open in March and April. They give bees a source of food early in the year.

In gardens, choose partial shade and a sheltered site. An east-facing or west-facing position suits its needs. Give it shade during the hottest part of the year. It needs soil rich in humus that stays moist. Water must drain away rather than collect around the bulbs. The RHS lists loam with a neutral or alkaline pH. Wild plants also favour soils that are basic rather than acid. The RHS rates its hardiness as H6. Plants For A Future lists USDA zones 5–9.

This small wildflower suits woodland gardens and lightly shaded edges. It can naturalise in woods or among less vigorous grass. Strong grass growth makes that setting less suitable. Suggested uses include wildflower meadows, wildlife gardens, and informal beds. It also suits banks, slopes, and planting beneath shrubs or roses. Its spring flowers bring interest to these shaded planting sites. The RHS gives a maturity period of two to five years. It needs no pruning and generally has few pest or disease problems.

Plants For A Future records limited food use for this species. The bulb can be eaten raw or cooked. Its use as food relates chiefly to times of scarcity. Young leaves are also listed as edible when cooked. The source gives edibility a low score of one out of five. It reports no known hazards, but this does not establish pet safety. It records no known medicinal uses or other practical uses. It also does not flag the plant as a weed.