Boophone disticha
StarBoophone disticha
Synonyms: Boophone toxicaria var. obtusifolia, Boophone longipedicellata, Brunsvigia toxicaria, Boophone intermedia, Boophone toxicaria, Brunsvigia rautanenii, Haemanthus toxicarius, Haemanthus sinuatus, Haemanthus robustus, Brunsvigia disticha, Brunsvigia ciliaris, Haemanthus lemairei, Haemanthus ciliaris, Amaryllis toxicaria, Haemanthus distichus
Western Herbalism Properties
Traditional Uses
Boophone disticha is among the most widely used medicinal plants of Southern Africa. The dried outer bulb scales are applied as a dressing after circumcision, and moistened scales are bound onto boils, abscesses and septic wounds to relieve pain and draw out pus, while fresh leaves are applied topically to staunch bleeding. Decoctions of the bulb are taken for their sedative and pain-relieving effects and used to treat headaches, rheumatic pains, eye complaints and anxiety (Watt and Breyer-Brandwijk, 1962; van Wyk et al., 1997). The same alkaloids responsible for these effects make the plant extremely poisonous, so traditional preparation and dosing are undertaken with great care; it has also served to poison arrows and in ordeal trials.
Gallery
Botanical Description
Boophone disticha, the bushman poison bulb or gifbol, is a striking deciduous bulbous plant of the amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae) native to grassland and rocky slopes across much of sub-Saharan and Southern Africa. It grows from a large, partly exposed bulb sheathed in many dry, papery brown scales. A fan of stiff, grey-green, strap-shaped leaves arranged in one plane appears after flowering. Before the leaves, a dense rounded umbel of pink to red, narrow-petalled flowers is borne on a short stout stalk; as the seeds ripen the whole dried flower head detaches and tumbles in the wind, dispersing the seeds. The plant is highly toxic in all its parts, containing potent Amaryllidaceae alkaloids (such as buphanisine and buphanidrine); ingestion can cause sedation, hallucinations, irrational behaviour, coma and death, and it has historically been used to prepare arrow and ordeal poisons. It is one of the most important and most dangerous medicinal plants of Southern Africa.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
📝 Notes
Public notes from the community and your own private notes on Boophone disticha.
No notes yet.