1. A name given to a number of plants with bright stellate flowers, as Ornithogalum umbellatum and other species, (in U.S.) Trientalis americana, etc. Also as a book-name for Stellaria and Aster.
1629. Parkinson, Paradisus, 134. The kindes of Starre-flowers, or Starres of Bethlehem, as they are called.
1664. Evelyn, Kal. Hort., May (1679), 17. Stock-gilly-flowers, Spanish Nut, Star-flower [etc.].
1707. Mortimer, Husb. (1721), II. 236. Star-Flowers are of several sorts, as the Star-Flower of Arabia, the great white Star-Flower of Bethlehem [etc.].
c. 1711. Petiver, Gazophyl., IX. lxxxv. Blush Cape Star-flower.
1771. J. R. Forster, Flora Amer. Septentr., 15. Hypoxis erecta. Bastard star-flower, upright. Virginia.
1845–50. Mrs. Lincoln, Lect. Bot., 185. The star-flower, (Aster).
1856. A. Gray, Man. Bot., 272. Trientalis Americana … Star-flower.
1890. Sarum Dioc. Gaz., Jan., 6/1. ‘Star-flower’ prettily describes the golden spangles of the Tormentil.
† 2. Zool.
a. 1776. J. Ellis, Zoophytes (1786), 3. Actinia gemmacea. Studded Sea Star-flower. Ibid., 6. Actinia Aster. Sea Star-flower with a smooth stem.
