South African Gardening Blog » bulbine http://www.sprig.co.za On plants, gardens and nature in South Africa. Fri, 10 Sep 2010 08:29:20 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Scented Grass Bulbine http://www.sprig.co.za/2009/04/scented-grass-bulbine/ http://www.sprig.co.za/2009/04/scented-grass-bulbine/#comments Sat, 25 Apr 2009 08:05:39 +0000 Niall http://sprig.co.za/?p=321 In an earlier post, I wrote about  the Bulbine latifolia.  I also have another species of bulbine, the Scented Grass or Narrow-leaved Bulbine, in my garden and it has just started flowering.  It has tiny, delicate, starry-yellow flowers which shoot out on stalks, about 50cm high.  It is very easy to propagate – by dividing large clumps – and requires little to no attention once rooted.

Scented Grass Bulbine

Scented Grass Bulbine

]]> http://www.sprig.co.za/2009/04/scented-grass-bulbine/feed/ 0 Bulbine latifolia http://www.sprig.co.za/2009/04/bulbine-latifolia/ http://www.sprig.co.za/2009/04/bulbine-latifolia/#comments Wed, 08 Apr 2009 07:57:54 +0000 Niall http://sprig.co.za/?p=265 This is a really cool little plant with some really interesting uses.   Traditional healers in South Africa use the sap of the plant to treat eczema and similar skin conditions while the tuber of the plant is used to quell vomiting and diarrhoea.  I think it is also being investigated to determine if it has any uses for the treatment of AIDS-related illnesses.

On a more magical level, the plant is rubbed on the legs of children who are late in walking in the belief that it will strengthen their muscles.

Plus, its great to look at and has these fantastic yellow flowers.  The Zulu name is ibhucu.

Bulbine latifolia.

Bulbine latifolia.

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