BULBINE NATALENSIS SEEDS - INDIGENOUS SUCCULENT - WORLDWIDE IN SOUTH AFRICA

The genus Bulbine is placed in the Asphodelaceae family and comprises more or less 73 species occurring in Africa and Australia. In southern Africa you will find 67 species, of which 62 are indigenous to South Africa, whereas only six species are found in Australia. Of the southern African species only five extend into tropical Africa. The genus is consequently considered to be a southern African entity. The genus is characterized by water-wise succulent plants with lax or compound racemes (flowers borne on stalks along an unbranched axis, lower ones opening first) of mostly yellow (very rarely white, orange or pink) flowers with bearded stamens. It is closely related to Bulbinella but has flowers that are "bearded" with hairy stamens. Many Bulbine species have medicinal uses too. Bulbine natalensis commonly known as Rooiwortel is a perennial, frost tender succulent with broad sharp pointed fleshy yellow-green leaves. It bears clusters of star-shaped yellow flowers on long thin flowering stems. It is drought resistant and requires full sun to semi-shade. Reportedly it has many traditional medicinal uses. It is used as a first-aid remedy to treat stings, mosquito bites, blisters, cold sores, mouth ulcers, cracked lips, -finger tips and -heels, burns, sunburn, cuts, bruises, dries out acne, wounds, rashes, itches, ringworm, herpes, fever blisters and sores, itching. The leaf gel aids healing of post-operative scars. It is also very useful in the treatment of rashes or eczema on animals as it is non-toxic.