PlantFiles: Bushman Poison
Boophone disticha

An unusual bulb which leaves are more decorative and last longer than their flowers. Has whistood -7°C and 40cm of snow.

Depending on the origin of the plant, this species could have either a winter-growing/summer flowering or a summer-growing/spring flowering habit. Plants originating from the extreme SW Africa region are apparently Winter growers, whereas those from other parts of Southern and Central Africa are apparently Summer growers. Thus, it is probably beneficial to reduce watering during the dormant period. My own experience is the Summer growers display more interesting wavy-edged set of leaves whereas the Winter growers tend to display a flat leaf. Both produce leaves in an interesting distichous pattern. Be careful when hand pollinating these flowers ... extended close exposure can give you a headache and sore eyes ... probably a testament to the plant's toxic qualities. Up close, it has a super-sweet pesticide-like odor, but on calm nights or mornings will perfume an area with a not unpleasant fragrance at further distances from the blooms.
- Ken

If planted in the ground in SoCal seedlings have their first flower after ~ 4 years. From then on they flower every year in July. 10 + year old plants often produce 2 flower stalks almost at the same time.
Due to lack of natural pollinator seeds are set only if pollinated by hand. The ball-shaped flower/seed stands are dry/ripe in 2nd half of August and brake off or are pushed off from below by the new growing leaves.
About 2 months later the +/- pea-sized seeds can't be stopped to germinate even if kept in the fridge!
Jordi

I have about 4 large plants growing wild on my plot in central South Africa, between 30cm and 50cm. Only one is producing seeds. I was told that these plants only flower once very old. Out of 25 seeds planted in planting bags only 5 germinated after about 6 weeks and are now growing. Although poisonous it is a lovely plant and not very common in my region.