Ornithogalum balansae Credit: Tatyana Shulkina

Scape 7-10 cm, shorter than leaves. Bulb ovate, light brown, 1.5-2.5 cm diam. Leaves upcurved, spathulate, 8-12 cm x 1.5 cm. Star-like white flowers 5-10, in short cyme. Perianth-lobes with wide abaxial band. V - early spring to mid summer. Fl - early spring, in St. Petersburg April-May, in the Caucasus March-April. Fr - June. P - by seed and easily by daughter bulbs. Prefers sunny sites, with well-drained soil. Suitable for many landscaping situations. Z 4. Poorly known in cultivation.

Caucasus and Turkey. Subalpine and alpine meadows, rocky places.