Bulbine is a genus in the Asphodelaceae family or some of the newest taxonomy suggests the Xanthorrhoeaceae? family. It is closely related to Bulbinella but has flowers that are "bearded." Many of the species are not geophytes. We will be listing ones on this page that are tuberous or bulbous if we can determine that and perhaps some that are not. Distribution is from tropical and southern Africa and also Australia. Leaves are linear to lanceolate and often succulent or fleshy. Flowers are small.
Bulbine alooides is from the western Cape and Namaqualand. It is short with attractive fleshy leaves and many small yellow flowers. It is quick to bloom from seed and flowers in late spring-early summer. It dies back afterwards. Photos by Mary Sue Ittner
Bulbine bulbosa is a species from Australia that is a dwarf perennial with a rootstock that is bulb-like with a tuber below. It has linear succulent leaves that are poisonous to stock and yellow flowers. It grows in forested areas, in sub-alpine regions, and exposed coastal locations. In cultivation it grows well in a container in dappled shade to full sun. Photos by Mary Sue Ittner showing the flowers and the rootstock on a grid of 1 cm. squares.
Bulbine sp. This succulent species was photographed in the Komsberg by Bob Rutemoeller and Mary Sue Ittner in September 2006. We don't know which species it is or if it is a geophyte.
Bulbine torta is found in rocky dry places in Namaqualand and south into the Cederberg. It grows from a flat based tuber and has twisted or coiled thread-like leaves and yellow to light orange flowers with fluffy yellow stamens. In the wild it blooms July to September. Photographed September 2006 near Middelpos in the Roggeveld by Mary Sue Ittner
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