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veiled in secrecy....

Boophone disticha or Poison bulb or Gifbol

 

The use of Boophone disticha in rituals (like male initiation) is often kept highly secret by initiates and traditional healers. The plant is highly toxic, and its preparation for medicinal or ritual use requires expert knowledge to avoid severe poisoning or death. Is also used for hallucination purposes.

 

Black bulb due to recent veld fires.

 

But poisonous or not, its a beautiful flower, leaves appear later. Here photographed with Pretoria in the background.

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Uploaded on October 31, 2025
Taken on September 26, 2025