The genus Bulbinella includes 18 species occurring in the Northern, Western and Eastern Cape Provinces of South Africa and an additional six species from the main islands of New Zealand. All the species have attractive orange, yellow, cream or white flowers in dense, unbranched racemes. They are tufted deciduous perennials growing solitary or forming clumps. The rootstock is a compact rhizome surrounded by membranous cataphylls and often persistent fibrous leaf bases. The roots are somewhat fleshy. Mainly they flower in late winter, spring and summer. Bulbinella flowers are colourful and long-lasting in the vase. All the species are recommended as cut flowers.

Bulbinella nutans is found from the Cape Peninsula northwards as far as Loeriesfontein and eastward to Swellendam. It is most similar to Bulbine latifolia from which it can be distinguished by its slightly smaller stature, narrower, erect leaves and shorter inflorescences. It is mostly found on clayey soils that are seasonally wet.