Ornithogalum Dubium Flower

Cut flowers can be a short lived pleasure, but the Ornithogalum Dubium flower will hold a lengthy vase residence. Dubium can have a vase life of up to 2 weeks, and under perfect conditions up to 3 - 4 weeks (according to Agam Flowers). The Dubium flower, hailing from the Hyacinthaceae family of plants, blooms by a variety of names; The Sun Star, Snake flower, Orange Chincherinchee, Orange Star of Bethlehem or Star of Africa.

Dubium flowers are endemic to the Cape Province of South Africa, meaning they are unique to that geographic region alone. Hence, Star of Africa, which is a nod to resembling the Ornithogalum umbellatum, or the grass lily better known as the Star of Bethlehem. They arise from the same Hyacinthaceae family within the Ornithogalum genus.

The Dubium's long, hardy cut stems can carry more than 25 florets, giving them opportunity to adorn a vase as a solo performance. Yet they also compliment a bright spring mix of cut flowers to welcome in the season or brighten someone's day. While Ornithogalums and the Hyacinthaceae family boost a diversity of bulbous perennials, the Dubium is one of the few orange varieties. Its brilliant orange color is a deep tangerine shade that captivates attention. Just be sure to keep your pets attention off it as the Dubium flower is toxic if ingested.

The flower's botanical name is in a sense uncertain, and according to its Latin root is quite literally uncertain. Dubium means doubtful or dubious in Latin, and is used in Taxonomy (scientific classification) when a subject's origin is uncertain. While the Dubium Flower roots in South African, embraced by the Hyacinthaceae family, perhaps its uniquely orange presence makes it stand alone within a large plant family.

Dubium traditionally grows in mountainous parts of South Africa, giving it the genetic stamina seen in gardens as perennials or in its vase-life. It can survive on minimal water as well, so its flowers may brightly welcome you back from a weekend getaway of neglect.

The flower has recently been grown in production on Southern Israeli flower farms, where growers are experimenting with colors ranging into yellows. From the mountains of South Africa, to the gardens of Israel, you can also find the rich orange Dubium on special at Mainstreet Flower Market in Parker, Colorado.