Bulbine
(from bolbos, a bulb). ORD. Liliaceae. A genus of rather pretty hardy, or nearly hardy, herbaceous or bulbous plants, allied to Anthericum. Flowers showy, fragrant; perianth with spreading segments. Leaves somewhat fleshy, narrow. Stems short. They are all of easy culture in a compost of sandy loam. The bulbous-rooted species are increased by offsets, and the herbaceous sorts by suckers and divisions. The only species which can be grown satisfactorily in the open air is B. annua. All the others should be grown in the greenhouse, but may be placed in the open during the summer months. B. alooides (Aloe-like).* fl. yellow, disposed in a terminal panicle. April. l. fleshy, tongue-shaped, lanceolate, flat on both sides. h. 1ft. Cape of Good Hope, 1732. SYN. Anthericum alooides. (B. M. 1317.) B. annua (annual). fl. yellow; scape racemose. May, June. l. fleshy, subulate, rounded. h. 9in. Cape of Good Hope, 1731. An annual species, the seeds of which should be sown in a gentle heat during spring, and the seedlings may be transplanted to the open when large enough to handle. SYN. Anthericum annuum. (B. M. 1451.) B. caulescens (caulescent).* fl. yellow. March. l. fleshy, rounded. Stem shrubby, erect, branched. h. 2ft. Cape of Good Hope. 1702. A shrubby species, which should be propagated by cuttings, placed under a hand glass. SYN. B. frutescens. (B. M. 816.) B. frutescens (shrubby). Synonymous with B. caulescens.