Ornithogalum
Ornithogalum, often sold as chincherinchee, is a spike of crisp, star-shaped white flowers renowned for an almost unbeatable vase life. Native to South Africa, its buds open steadily up the stem over two to three weeks, making it one of the most economical long-haul flowers a florist can stock. The clean, geometric florets add fresh, structured filler to bridal and everyday designs alike. Its longevity and tidy form also make it a reliable choice for corporate and event work.
| Family | Asparagaceae |
|---|---|
| Origin | South Africa |
| Peak season | May, June, July |
| Availability | January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December |
| Stem length | 30–70 cm |
| Vase life | 14–21 days |
| Colors | white, cream, orange |
| Price tier | mid |
Recut stems on a slant and condition in cool water with flower food; buds continue to open steadily up the spike over many days. Strip any lower foliage and keep the water clean, as these stems can foul it. Ornithogalum is one of the longest-lasting cut flowers available, so it rewards fresh water and cool storage with weeks of display. Store at around 4-6°C and simply refresh water to keep it going.
- •Recut stems on a slant
- •Strip submerged foliage
- •Change water regularly
- •Keep cool for maximum vase life
- •Let buds open up the spike naturally
2 named ornithogalum cultivars from the Lacy Bird master catalogue — each a distinct commercial variety.
Entries marked ✦ come from the Acanta master catalogue — the shared database of cut flowers, forms, colours and named varieties that florists and studios build on. The rest are our editorial genus reference. What is Acanta →
Bouquet Builder — by Lacy BirdDesign the bouquet. See it as a photo.
Botanical reference
- Common name
- African Wonder Flower
- Also known as
- chincherinchee, star of Bethlehem, wonder flower, Eliokarmos ceresianus, Eliokarmos coarctatum, Eliokarmos thyrsoides, Lomaresis alba, Myogalum coarctatum, Myogalum thyrsoides, Ornithogalum bicolor, Ornithogalum coarctatum, Ornithogalum conicum
- Distribution
- Cape Provinces
Open-data sources: GBIF, Wikidata (CC0/CC BY)
Frequently asked questions
When is Ornithogalum in season?
Ornithogalum peaks in May, June, July, and florists can usually source it January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December. Availability shifts by region and greenhouse supply.
How long does Ornithogalum last in a vase?
Expect 14–21 days with proper conditioning — a clean vase, fresh water every couple of days, flower food, and a cool spot away from ripening fruit and direct heat.
What can I use instead of Ornithogalum?
Good substitutes for Ornithogalum include Statice, Allium, Freesia. Match on look, colour and season — our substitute finder ranks the closest alternatives.
What does Ornithogalum symbolise?
Ornithogalum is associated with purity, hope, honesty, innocence.
How do you care for cut Ornithogalum?
Recut stems on a slant
Related flowers
Free to quote and cite with attribution and a link back, for non-commercial and editorial use (blogs, journalism, classrooms, research).
Lacy Bird Flower Encyclopedia — “Ornithogalum”. https://lacybird.com/flowers/ornithogalum/<a href="https://lacybird.com/flowers/ornithogalum/">Lacy Bird Flower Encyclopedia — Ornithogalum</a>