Bulbine abyssinica aka Bulbine Abyssinica

Bulbine abyssinica is a perennial herb in the Asphodelaceae family. Its native range runs from Ethiopia south to South Africa. It also grows in Yemen and parts of central Africa. This plant lives in tropical and subtropical regions, often with dry seasons. Wild plants form small groups in grassland and open woodland. They also grow on rocky slopes and near wet ground.

A short rhizome bears a rosette of narrow, grass-like leaves. Each leaf grows about 1.1 feet [0.35 metres] long. The plant spreads over time to make small clumps. One source lists its height as 2.3 feet [0.7 metres]. Flower stems can reach 2.6 feet [0.8 metres] in length. Its leafy clumps give it a grass-like form. The source gives no measured width for mature clumps.

Bees pollinate the flowers, and the plant is not self-fertile. Flowering follows a season, but suitable conditions can extend it. Plants may bloom for much of the year. They grow fast and may flower within a year from seed. Seeds tend to sprout within one to two weeks. Move seedlings once they reach a size that is easy to handle. Growers can also divide clumps when fresh growth starts.

Give this plant sun and soil that drains well. It prefers soil rich in humus. Once established, it can cope with drought. It tolerates a broad range of temperatures, including some frost. The evidence does not give a firm winter temperature limit. Its wild sites range from sandy woodland to shallow, rocky soils. Some colonies grow beside seasonal wetlands or in seepage sites. These habitats span dry ground and places with more moisture.

People gather wild plants for local medicine and sometimes sell them. Traditional uses include leaf sap for rashes, ringworm, and wounds. People also put crushed leaves on burns. They use the sap on cracked lips as well. These records describe folk use, not proof of safe treatment. The source warns of confusion with another species in medicinal records. Researchers have found anthraquinones in roots, leaves, and fruits. A root compound showed activity against malaria parasites in laboratory tests. This does not establish a treatment for people. The source records no food uses and no known hazards. That lack of reports does not confirm safety for people or pets.