Bulbine frutescens
Stalked bulbine
Bulbine frutescens, commonly known as Bulbine or Stalked Bulbine, is a succulent perennial native to South Africa. Renowned for its fleshy, bright green leaves and vibrant yellow flowers, this hardy plant is highly valued in traditional medicine for its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and skin-healing properties, particularly in treating burns.
- Scientific name: Bulbine frutescens
- Family: Asphodelaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Asparagales and is a member of the family Asphodelaceae. Specifically, it is identified by the genus Bulbine.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Asparagales | WCVP |
| Family | Asphodelaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Bulbine | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Bulbine frutescens, is referred to by various common names depending on the language and region. In Polish, it is called Bulbine krzewiasta, while in Greek, it is known as Bulbina. In the Serbian language, it is identified as Bulbina (sr), Булбина (sr-ec), or Bulbina (sr-el), and in Afrikaans, it is commonly called Rankkopieva.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| pl | Bulbine krzewiasta | Wikidata |
| sr-el | Bulbina | Wikidata |
| sr-ec | Булбина | Wikidata |
| sr | Bulbina | Wikidata |
| af | Rankkopieva | Wikidata |
| zu | Ibhucu | Wikidata |
| zh | 须尾草 | Wikidata |
| zh-hans | 须尾草 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 须尾草 | Wikidata |
| pl | Medicus | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant is native to various regions throughout Southern Africa. Its primary distribution can be found across the diverse landscapes of the Cape Provinces. It also grows within the mountainous terrain of Lesotho. Additionally, the species is located in parts of Namibia. Finally, its range extends to the KwaZulu-Natal and Free State provinces.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Africa | Cape Provinces | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Lesotho | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Namibia | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | KwaZulu-Natal | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Free State | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Eswatini | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Northern Provinces | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as Bulbine, features a unique morphological structure that contributes to its medicinal properties. The organism consists of a sturdy shoot that emerges from the ground, supporting a fleshy architecture. Beneath the surface, the root system provides stability and nutrient uptake, while the roots themselves are often succulent in nature. Most notably, the leaves are thick and fleshy, housing specialized leaf gels that are frequently harvested for their soothing and healing applications.- Total parts
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 6
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| roots | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| shoot | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf gels | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Bulbine frutescens has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 4'-O-demethylknipholone-4'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, Bulbineloneside D, flavonoids, isoknipholone, knipholone.
- Total chemicals
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 7
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| 4'-O-demethylknipholone-4'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Bulbineloneside D | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| isoknipholone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| knipholone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| methanol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| terpenoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Bulbine frutescens has 4 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidiabetic, Antioxidant, Antiplasmodial, Cytotoxic.
- Total activities
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiplasmodial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Bulbine frutescens has 6 reported medicinal uses identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Diabetes mellitus, burns, contraception, triple negative breast cancer, triple-negative breast cancer.
- Total uses
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 6
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Diabetes mellitus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| burns | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| contraception | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| triple negative breast cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| triple-negative breast cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| wounds | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |