Bulbine

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Bulbine bulbosa flower.jpg


Plant Characteristics
Origin: Africa, Australia
Cultivation
Features: flowers
Scientific Names

Asphodelaceae >

Bulbine >

Wolf >


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Bulbine is a genus of plants in the family Asphodelaceae (occasionally Liliaceae [1]), named for the bulb-shaped tuber shown by many of the species [2]. Bulbine is found chiefly in Southern Africa, with few species extending into tropical Africa and a few species in Australia [3].

Bulbine is characterised by having flowers borne in lax or compound racemes, and by being succulent [3]. The flowers are mostly yellow, with bearded stamens, although sometimes white, orange or pink [3]. Several species are grown in gardens, although the most common species in the horticultural trade is B. frutescens [3]. Species of Bulbine resemble Haworthia and Aloe in appearance, but with soft fleshy leaves, many with tuberous roots or a caudex. The various species grow as shrubs, rough tough weedy perennials, dwarf geophytes, and soft annuals. Many of the dwarf species have small, dome-shaped tubers.

Dormancy starts in late spring and lasts until mid autumn, but can vary between species and in different conditions. Leaves die and drop and the roots contract into the caudex leaving no visible sign of life on the surface. Propagation is mostly by seed although cuttings are possible as some species will form multiple heads or offsets.


Read about Bulbine in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture 

Bulbine (Greek, botóos, a bulb). Uliaceae. More than 20 species of half-hardy African and Australian plants, allied to Anthericum, but practically not cultivated in this country.

Flowers showy, the petals distinct, 1-nerved, spreading and often recurving in age; stamens shorter than the perianth. Some of the species are bulbous, and require the general treatment given Cape bulbs (see Bulbs); but none of the bulbous species is known here.


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Cultivation

Propagation

Pests and diseases

Species

Bulbine contains approximately 160 species [4]:


Gallery

References

  1. "PLANTS Profile: Bulbine Wolf". United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved on December 29, 2009.
  2. "Bulbine bulbosa". Growing Native Plants. Australian National Botanic Gardens (June 19, 2003). Retrieved on December 28, 2009.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "Bulbine abyssinica". PlantZAfrica. South African National Biodiversity Institute. Retrieved on December 28, 2009.
  4. "Bulbine". International Plant Name Index. Retrieved on December 28, 2009.

External links