Botanical name |
Boophone disticha |
Other names |
Gifbol (Afrikaans), Leshoma (Tswana), Boophane disticha |
Family |
Amaryllidaceae, bulbous plant |
Dimensions |
|
Description of stem |
Leaves emanate from the bulb which has a flaky, papery cover
|
Description of leaves |
Blue-green straight and long leaves arranged in a fan-shape that can measure 60cm across, on top of the bulb which usually sits halfway above ground level
|
Description of flowers |
Rounded pink inflorescence over 15cm wide, consisting of numerous small flowers above a sturdy single flowering stalk; flowers in spring before leaves appear; dry flowerheads are noticeable rolling away in the wind a few months later |
Description of seed/fruit |
|
Description of roots |
|
Variation |
|
|
|
Propagation and cultivation |
|
Tolerances |
|
Uses |
Bulb scales are used for dressing wounds; decoctions used for various ailments; also been used as a hallucinogen and poison |
Ecological rarity |
|
Pests and diseases |
|
Other |
|
Location |
Hills and grassland |
Distribution |
Most parts of inland South Africa, barring the north-western regions |
Country |
South Africa, Zimbabwe |