The genus Bulbine is placed in the Asphodelaceae family and comprises more or less 73 species occurring in Africa and Australia. In southern Africa you will find 67 species, of which 62 are indigenous to South Africa, whereas only six species are found in Australia. Of the southern African species only five extend into tropical Africa. The genus is consequently considered to be a southern African entity. The genus is characterized by water-wise succulent plants with lax or compound racemes (flowers borne on stalks along an unbranched axis, lower ones opening first) of mostly yellow (very rarely white, orange or pink) flowers with bearded stamens. It is closely related to Bulbinella but has flowers that are “bearded” with hairy stamens. Many Bulbine species have medicinal uses too.

Bulbine succulenta, synonymously known as Bulbine hantamensis and commonly known as Compass Plant in English and Kopiva or Wildekopiva in Afrikaans, is an attractive bulbous plant, and a low-maintenance and rewarding ornamental plant. Bulbine succulenta is water-wise and will make an excellent garden plant as it can withstand drought and is fairly cold tolerant; best suited to dry, winter-rainfall gardens. It is not sold in nurseries possibly because seed is not readily available, and it is not a well-known species. The fresh leaf gel of many species of Bulbine is widely used for burns, wounds, cuts, abrasions, rashes and boils. It is also useful for eczema, cracked lips and herpes.