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Bulbinella is a genus of plant in the family Xanthorrhoeaceae, subfamily Asphodeloideae. Most species are endemic to South Africa, confined to the winter rainfall area with a few in New Zealand where they are most common in the central Otago region which enjoys a similar climate to the Cape Region of South Africa. 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. In the New Zealand species only species with white and yellow flowers occur. 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. They tend to overwinter and aestivate with wiry or swollen tubers.
Growing up to 0.6m the plant has a pink bud opening to white flowers in Spring and they make great cut flowers.
USDA Zone - 8
Season to Sow - Autumn
Photos with credit to the late Rod and Rachel Saunders, eminent experts on South African indigenous flora.
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