The following was received via email: This bulbous plant was given to me by a friend whose father originally brought a bulb over from Germany. {propagation from the little bulblets that form) It apparently has medicinal qualities (for external use) for its healing properties. The flower appears mid-winter on one stalk only. The flower has no scent & lasts about 4 to 6 weeks. I would love to know what this plant is. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Hello, This plant is Ornithogalum longibracteatum, a native of South Africa that has several common names, including "false sea onion", "pregnant onion" and, interestingly, "German onion." (if you are searching for this plant by its scientific name, note that there is some confusion - many sites still use Ornithogalum caudatum, but that name is no longer recognized by the Royal Horticultural Society "Plant Finder" - instead they use O. longibracteatum) For a good summary page about the plant, visit Dr. Ombrello's Plant of the Week - False Sea Onion web page, from the Union County College in New Jersey.
