A review of Bulbinella (Asphodelaceae): distribution, conservation status, and economic importance

Abstract

<p><strong>Background</strong>: This review offers a comprehensive overview of the importance of <em>Bulbinella</em>, a genus of the family Asphodelaceae. A total of 23 species of <em>Bulbinella</em> are known, of which 17 are found in South Africa, and six in New Zealand. The genus is native to the Northern, Western, and Eastern Cape Provinces of South Africa, and to the main North and South Islands of New Zealand including the subantarctic islands, Auckland and Campbell.</p><p><strong>Studied species</strong>: <em>Bulbinella</em> species</p><p><strong>Study site and years of study</strong>:     South Africa and New Zealand, 2014- 2017</p><p><strong>Conclusion</strong>: <em>Bulbinella</em> has an interesting and unusual highly disjunct distribution between South Africa and New Zealand. All <em>Bulbinella </em>species are similar in their floral structures. However, there are differences in size, underground bulbs, swollen roots, and leaves that make species delimitation possible in this group. Through their secondary metabolites, the genus <em>Bulbinella</em> is extensively useful as herbal remedies for innumerable ailments and also vital as livestock feed. Data on conservation status show that all these species; except <em>Bulbinella</em> <em>hookeri</em> and <em>Bulbinella</em> <em>anguistifolia</em> are vulnerable with <em>Bulbinella calcicola</em> critically endangered. There is, therefore, an urgent need for studying the genetic resources of these <em>Bulbinella </em>species.</p>