Community Corner
Invasive Plant Species Threatens Jamaica Plain's Gardens (VIDEO)
The best way to eradicate Star-of-Bethlehem is by uprooting it by hand.
There is a nasty invasive plant species wreaking havoc in gardens in Jamaica Plain. It has a small white flower that makes it look attractive, bulbs in its roots, and measures--including roots--somewhat over a foot. It extends its roots under other plants and kills them.
According to an Arnold Arboretum plant expert it is known as the Star of Bethlehem weed, or ornithogalum umbellatum in botanical terms.
"They are members of the lily family, and thus are not controlled by any of the grass herbicides, even though they look like a grass," reads an Ohio State University site quoted by an Arboretum plant expert volunteer, who identified himself as “Lee.”
“When I found it in my lawn, I dug it up as quickly and thoroughly as I could,” said Lee.
The Star of Bethlehem is a perennial weed that thrives in undisturbed and no-till areas.
“Star-of-Bethlehem first looks like Wild Garlic, but close up, its leaves are flat and usually have a light-green to white midvein unlike wild garlic. Also, the plant has no garlic odor... It's only bloom is a six-petal, star-like white flower on the top of the stalk that arrives in mid-April to mid-May. This plant, unlike wild garlic, will die back to the ground by mid-season and will not grow again until late fall or early spring of the next year,” reads the Ohio University site.
The site goes on to explain that fighting these weeds is a big challenge since they are tolerant to most common herbicides.
“It hides under other plants and you have to dig the whole thing out, and if you don’t take them out they spread everywhere,” said Lauren (watch video), an avid JP gardener.
Experts agree that the best way to fight the Star of Bethlehem weed is by uprooting it by hand.
plant experts are available Mondays 1-3 p.m. at the Arboretum, or may be reached at 617-384-5235.