This is a popular garden plant that is useful for difficult hot
corners of the garden as it will tolerate prolonged drought, although
it flourishes with regular watering.
violacea is a fast-growing, bulbous plant that reaches a height
of 0.5 m. The leaves are long, narrow, strap-like, slightly fleshy
and smell strongly of garlic when bruised. They grow from fat, tuberous
roots which spread to form clumps of plants. The pinkish mauve,
tubular flowers, clustered into umbels of up to twenty flowers,
are held above the leaves on a tall flower stalk, and appear over
a long period in summer (January to April). They too smell of garlic
when picked. The fruit, triangular capsules, are grouped into a
head, and when ripe they split to release the flattened, hard black
This drought resistant plant stretches from the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal
and Limpopo, to as far north as Zimbabwe.
Derivation of name and historical aspects
Tulbaghia is named after Ryk Tulbagh (died 1771), governor
of the Cape of Good Hope and violacea means violet-coloured.
Only two species are grown as ornamentals and enjoy popularity in
Most of the species of Tulbaghia are adapted for moth pollination
and have dull flowers that become sweetly scented at night. T.
violacea seems likely to be pollinated by butterflies and bees
as they are scented during the day.
Uses and cultural aspects
This attractive plant is ideal for the herb garden, as both the
leaves and flowers can be used in salads and other dishes. The crushed
leaves may be used to help cure sinus headaches and to discourage
moles from the garden (by their strong smell). The smell repels
fleas, ticks and mosquitoes when crushed on the skin.
The fresh bulbs are boiled in water and the decoctions are taken
orally to clear up coughs and colds. The bulb has been used as a
remedy for pulmonary tuberculosis and to destroy intestinal worms.
Wild garlic may prove to have the same or similar antibacterial
and antifungal activities as has been scientifically verified for
real garlic. The leaves are used to treat cancer of the oesophagus.
The Zulus use the leaves and flowers as spinach and as a hot, peppery
seasoning with meat and potatoes. They also use the bulb to make
an aphrodisiac medicine. Wild garlic is a very good snake repellent
and for this reason the Zulus plant it around their homes.
Growing Tulbaghia violacea
Tulbaghia violacea grows very easily in most soils. It can
be used as an edging plant, along a pathway, are displayed to great
advantage in a rockery and can also be mass planted to form a groundcover,
in sunny or partially shaded positions. It thrives in well-drained
soil containing plenty of compost.
Propagate from seed or by dividing larger clumps. The hard black
seeds are best sown in spring in deep seed trays and can be planted
out during their second year. Once the clumps that have been divided
are planted, they should be left undisturbed for as long as possible.
First flowering can generally be expected in the second or third
Tulbaghias seldom fall prey to pests and diseases, but slugs and
snails can cause considerable damage to the foliage.
References and further reading
- Borchers, H. 1996. Greening the KwaZulu-Natal midlands.
SHARE-NET, Wildlife Society of Southern Africa, Howick.
- Du Plessis, N. & Duncan, G. 1989. Bulbous plants of southern
Africa. Tafelberg, Cape Town.
- Dyson, A. 1998. Discovering indigenous healing plants of
the herb and fragrance gardens at Kirstenbosch National Botanical
Garden. The Printing Press, Cape Town.
- Hyam, R. & Pankhurst, R. 1995. Plants and their names:
a concise dictionary. Oxford University Press.
- Joffe, P. 1993. The gardener's guide to South African plants.
Tafelberg, Cape Town.
- Manning, J., Goldblatt, P. & Snijman, D. 2002. The color
encyclopedia of Cape bulbs. Timber Press, Portland.
- Van Wyk, B-E., Van Oudtshoorn, B. & Gericke, N. 1997. Medicinal
plants of South Africa. Briza Publications, Pretoria.
Free State National Botanical Garden