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The genus Bulbine is placed in the Asphodelaceae family and comprises more or less 73 species occurring in Africa and Australia. In southern Africa you will find 67 species, of which 62 are indigenous to South Africa, whereas only six species are found in Australia. Of the southern African species only five extend into tropical Africa. The genus is consequently considered to be a southern African entity. The genus is characterized by water-wise succulent plants with lax or compound racemes (flowers borne on stalks along an unbranched axis, lower ones opening first) of mostly yellow (very rarely white, orange or pink) flowers with bearded stamens. It is closely related to Bulbinella but has flowers that are "bearded" with hairy stamens. Many Bulbine species have medicinal uses too. Bulbine margarethae is a rare South African endemic succulent naturally found growing in the succulent Karoo and Knersvlakte. It is usually found on limestone outcrops and is threatened by habitat loss due to limestone mining. It was first described by Lisabel Irene Hall in 1984. The swollen root can grow up to three centimetres in diameter, the whole plant up to seven centimetres high. The flowers are pale green and yellow. It is named after Mrs Margretha Wiese, the wife of Buys Wiese, the owner of the farm where the species was discovered. It was previously thought to be a variation of Bulbine mesembryanthemoides. Sow the seeds of Bulbine margarethae during spring. |