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| Category: Succulent |
| Family: Asphodelaceae (~Liliaceae) |
| Origin: South Africa (Africa) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Yellow |
| Bloomtime: Spring/Summer |
| Synonyms: [Bulbine caulescens] |
| Height: 1-2 feet |
| Width: 1-2 feet |
| Exposure: Full Sun |
| Deer Tolerant: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 20-25° F |
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Bulbine frutescens (Stalked Bulbine) - A succulent groundcover from the southern coast of South Africa up to Mozambique. It has fleshy light gray-green leaves that are 8 to 12 inches long arranged in opposite rows to form an open rosettes to 18 inches tall and spreads by rhizomes to create wide-spreading clumps. Yellow flowers are 6-petaled and star-like with frilly yellow stamens on long stalks rise above the foliage in the spring through the summer. Plant in full sun to light shade with little water. Hardy to about 20-25 degrees F. This plant has a bloom period that extends into the summer along the coast but has somewhat of a summer dormant period in hot interior gardens then reblooms in the fall into winter. Plants look tidier and may rebloom better if old flower stalks are removed after bloom. The name Bulbine comes from the Greek word 'bolbine' and Latin 'bulbus', a general word for a bulbous or onion-like plant but is somewhat misleading as these plants do not have a bulbous base. The specific epithet comes from the Latin word 'frutex' meaning "shrubby" and is in reference to the way this plant forms solid stands, looking much like a low shrub. Bulbine frutescens is sometimes commonly called Jelly Burn Plant as it contain glycoproteins, similar to many aloe species, and is touted for similar healing properties as Aloe vera such as to ease burns, rashes and itches. These properties have also caused it to be called cape balsam (from the Africaans name balsem kopieva) - other common names include snake flower, cat's tail and and geelkatstert. We have offered this plant since 1993 and also grow the orange colored selection Bulbine frutescens 'Hallmark' and the slightly smaller Bulbine frutescens 'Tiny Tangerine'.
The information on this page is based on research conducted about this plant in the San Marcos Growers library, from online sources, and from observations made of the crops growing in our nursery, plants in the nursery's garden and those in other gardens where we may have observed it. We also have incorporated comments received from others and welcome getting feedback from those who may have additional information, particularly if this information includes cultural information that would aid others in growing Bulbine frutescens. |
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