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Anthraquinones, phenylanthraquinones and isofuranonaphthoquinones have been isolated from the roots and leaves of ''Bulbine capitata''. Several isofuranonaphthoquinones from the roots showed antioxidant activity in a human lipoprotein oxidation assay, some of them with activity comparable to that of quercetin, a flavonoid with established antioxidant activity. These compounds also demonstrated weak antiplasmodial activities in vitro. ''Bulbine capitata'' is said to have antibiotic and antipyretic properties, but these remain unsubstantiated.
== Botany Description ==
Tufted, perennial herb up to 45 cm tall, with rhizome up to 5 cm × 1 cm. Leaves in a basal rosette, simple, erect to arching, without stipules and petiole, up to 25 cm × 2 mm, fleshy, at base extending into a tubular sheath, old leaf bases persistent. Inflorescence a terminal, densely flowered raceme 2–15 cm long; peduncle up to 25 cm long; bracts ovate, 2–10 mm long, auricled, persistent. Flowers bisexual, regular, 3-merous; pedicel up to 20 mm long at flowering, 35 mm in fruit; tepals 6, oblong-ovate, c. 7 mm × 3 mm, 1-veined, yellow; stamens 6, c. 6 mm long, densely bearded in upper third; ovary superior, 3-celled, style terete, stigma head-shaped. Fruit an ovoid capsule c. 7 mm long, dehiscing loculicidally, brown to black, many-seeded. Seeds pyramidal, 2–3 mm long, brownish black.
In southern Africa ''Bulbine capitata'' flowers in spring. == Other botanical information == ''Bulbine'' comprises about 60 species, most of them restricted to southern Africa. === ''Bulbine narcissifolia'' ===''[[Bulbine narcissifolia]]'' Salm-Dyck, a native of Botswana, South Africa and Lesotho, has several medicinal uses in South Africa. The fresh leaf sap is applied to wounds to promote healing, as a wart and corn remedy, and to cure ringworm and rash. A cold infusion of the leaves is used as a purgative. A decoction of the roots is taken to relieve rheumatic pain and to induce pregnancy. In southern Africa ''Bulbine capitata'' flowers in spring.
== Ecology ==
== Correct citation of this article ==
Bosch, C.H., 2006. '''Bulbine capitata''' Poelln. [Internet] Record from PROTA4U. In: Schmelzer, G.H. & Gurib-Fakim, A. (Editors). PROTA (Plant Resources of Tropical Africa / Ressources végétales de l’Afrique tropicale), Wageningen, Netherlands. <http://www.prota4u.org/search.asp>. Accessed {{CURRENTDAY}} {{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTYEAR}}.