Bulbous perennials, with strap-like leaves and spires of star-shaped white to green flowers, often in spring. Over 200 species across Europe, Asia and into South Africa, enjoying open conditions but also some woodlands.
All Ornithogalum species produce nectar and pollen that attracts pollinators, especially honeybees and hoverflies. One species, O. pyrenaicum, is considered to be a scarce British native around Somerset and Wiltshire (hence Bath Asparagus), although other wild occurrences derive from garden throwouts; another species O. umbellatum is sometimes claimed as a Breckland native, although there is much uncertainty, especially since this name encompasses numerous poorly defined species, subspecies and varieties.