Family: Xanthorrhoeaceae
Bulbine frutescens (orange bulbine, burn jelly plant) is a small, clumping succulent native to southern Africa. It has narrow, fleshy green leaves and produces bright spikes of star-shaped orange or yellow flowers for much of the year. This drought-tolerant plant is widely used as a low-maintenance groundcover or border plant because it performs well in sunny, well-drained landscapes. The clear, gel-like sap inside the leaves has traditionally been used to soothe minor burns, cuts, insect bites, and skin irritations, giving rise to its common name, “burn jelly plant.”
In Hawaiʻi, Bulbine frutescens is not currently known to be naturalized, but it does possess traits that are cause for concern, such as its ability to spread vegetatively and tolerate a wide range of environmental conditions. While it is not currently considered invasive, these characteristics suggest it could potentially establish and spread beyond cultivation under favorable conditions. Further evaluation is needed to determine whether this species could pose risks to Hawaiʻi’s native ecosystems, so it should be planted responsibly and monitored for unexpected spread.
High Risk Traits:
- A potential weed (Listed as a Quarantine Weed under Western Australias state-wide quarantine system which means they are prohibited from entering the state)
- Related Bulbine species regarded as weeds
- Tolerates many soil types
- Spreads vegetatively and by wind-dispersed seeds
- Starts to spread vegetatively after 1 year
- A geophyte (may persist in soil if above ground vegetation is removed)
- Limited biological and ecological information outside native range makes accurate risk predication difficult
Low Risk Traits:
- No reports of naturalization or invasiveness reported to date
- Medicinal and ornamental uses
