Boophone disticha is a bulbous plant 30-60 cm tall. It reproduces by seed. The large bulb is partially covered with dry brown scales.
It is identified by its large partially exposed bulb just above the surface and its wavy fan-like foliage that can grow up to 50 cm tall.
Boophone disticha Classification
- Domain: Eukaryota
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Phylum: Tracheophyta
- Subphylum: Angiospermae
- Class: Monocotyledonae
- Order: Asparagales
- Family: Amaryllidaceae
- Genus: Boophone
- Species: Boophone disticha
- Common Names: Poison bulb, Cape poison bulb, Cape poison, Bushman poison bulb, Sore-eye plant, Sore-eye flower, Common oxbane, Fan-leaved boophone, and Tumblehead.
Nativity and Distribution
Century plant is native to Southern Africa. It is mostly found in:
- Angola
- Botswana
- Tanzania
- Kenya
- Malawi
- Lesotho
- Namibia
- South Africa
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Physical Characteristics
- Leaves: Greyish-green leaves rosette of fan-like leaves
- Fruits: Three-ribbed indehiscent capsule
- Stems: Large exposed bulb covered with dry scales
- Flowers: Pink to red fragrant trumpet-shaped flowers
- Roots: Fleshy root system
Boophone disticha is a perennial herb that grows up to 30-60 cm tall. It is easily recognizable by its large globular bulb protruding above the ground and its wavy fan-like foliage that can grow up to 50 cm tall.
The leaves are narrow, elongated, green or bluish-green, and have an attractive wavy fan-like shape. They emerge from the partially exposed bulb (5-25 cm) in diameter to a height of 10-50 cm.
Century plant produces scented pink to red flowers arranged in an umbel at the top of the stalk, typically about 30 cm tall. Each cluster has numerous (50-200) flowers each 2-5 cm long, creating a colorful display.
Flowers at the edges generally open first, followed by the ones at the center, giving the middle cluster a lighter hue. Flowering occurs at different times depending on the region. In some areas, it occurs between February and April, while in other regions, between July and November.
The seeds are round, fleshy, and greyish-green in colour.
Reproduction, Dispersal, and Life Cycle
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Seeds: Each capsule produces three seeds
- Climate: Grows well in tropical areas that are warm and dry
- Dispersal: Wind and water
B. disticha behaves as a perennial and reproduces by seed. One capsule contains three seeds. After flowering, the elongated seedhead breaks off and falls to the ground. The wind rolls it across the landscape, scattering the seeds, hence the name tumbleweed.
Water runoff can also carry the seeds to new locations. The seeds germinate immediately, especially when they fall on recently burnt soil.
Similar Plants
- Brunsvigia gregaria
- Brunsvigia grandiflora
- Crossyne guttata
Uses
- The outer scales of the bulb are used as traditional medicine for headaches, rheumatic pains, eye problems, and anxiety.
- A combination of the outer scales often mixed with water, mill, or oil is applied externally to treat septic wounds and boils, or a dressing after circumcision.
- Fresh leaves are used topically to prevent bleeding of wounds.
- Stripped leaves are used to make fringes that are worn as ornaments.
- It is used in cultural ceremonies and divination purposes.
- The Khoi and San people use the plant to prepare poison arrows for hunting small game.
- It is grown as an ornamental for its striking leaf foliage and vibrant flowers.
Impact on Farms and Environment
Boophone disticha is a valuable pollinator plant that attracts various insects and animals, positively contributing to the local biodiversity. It can also help reduce soil erosion in regions susceptible to wind and water erosion.
However, the plant contains alkaloids, mostly found in the bulb, that are toxic to livestock, making it a potential threat in grazing systems relying on open grasslands for pasture.
While it is generally not considered invasive, introduction to non-native areas could lead to competition with local flora if not managed properly.
Control
B. disticha is a weed of the rocky landscapes and open dry grasslands and it rarely escapes these habitats. Therefore, there are no documented control methods for this plant.
However, if you grow it as an ornamental plant, periodic pruning of the roots and repotting can help in managing its growth.
Lead Editor for Insight Weeds.