Bulbinella

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in biology, Bulbinella (Latin:Bulbinella Kunth) is a genus of plants in the family Asphodelaceae, subfamily Asphodeloideae, first described as a genus in 1843. This genus, which is closely related to Bulbine, has rhizomes. Most of the species are found in South Africa, but there are species from New Zealand as well. There are twenty three species. Fourteen species are native to the Cape Floral Province. Seeds have a short viability from 6 months to a year. Fresh seeds can germinate quite prolifically. Seeds of winter growing species should be sown in the fall.

They are characterised by the presence of a dense terminal raceme of flowers, often yellow but also white, pink, yellow or orange depending on the species. One of the New Zealand species only species with white and yellow flowers.[clarification needed] Each flower occurs in the axil of a bract and has 1 nerved perianth segments that are almost free. Each flower has 6 stamens. The seeds are characteristically shield shaped and there are one or two seeds in each chamber.

The plants may grow up to 1 metre in height and have narrow or thread like but never succulent leaves. The leaves decay into prominent fibres at the base of the stem, often netted or reticulate in appearance, although this feature is absent from the New Zealand species. They tend to overwinter and aestivate with wiry or swollen tubers.

Bulbinella has an interesting and unusual, highly disjunct distribution. Although most of the species are restricted to winter-rainfall South Africa, six occur naturally in New Zealand. Most species favour moist, cool habitats.

The name Bulbinella was first proposed by Kunth. The genus was named for its close similarity to Bulbine, from which it differs mainly in the glabrous filaments which are always hairy in Bulbine. Before Kunth's study the species formed part of the then polymorphic genus Anthericum L.

In South Africa the species are confined to the winter-rainfall areas. The species are found in a variety of habitats with different soil types, notably Table Mountain Sandstone and clay. The species do, however, prefer damp depressions, moist, shaded south-facing slopes, seasonal streams and seepage areas. Some of the species have very particular preferences and have limited distributions on a specific soil type. Pollination is facilitated by insects, notably honeybees, and the plants do not produce any nectar. Beetles have been noticed on some of the species, e.g. B. eburniflora , and may also play a role in pollination.

Medicinal

It has the most remarkable medicinal value not many people knows about.

The soothing jelly-like leaf sap of bulbinella is widely used for the treatment of

bee and wasp stings,mosquito bites,bluebottle,blisters,cold sores (even up inside the nose),mouth ulcers,cracked lips , -fingertips, -heels,sunburn,burns,dries out acne,cuts,bruises,minor skin cancer,wounds,rashes,itches,ringworm,herpes,fever blisters and sores,itching of chingles, as well as rashes or eczema on animals.