Bulbine capitata is a tufted perennial that grows to 30 cm in height from a woody, rhizomatous base.

This drought- and frost-resistant plant is found widespread in rocky grassland or bushveld in sandy soil. Its distribution lies in the north-east of South Africa, from central Free State and KwaZulu-Natal northwards. It also occurs in Namibia, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Botswana and further into tropical Africa.

B. abyssinica is similar, but has pink leaf bases and the strips of old leaf bases are not seen (Manning, 2009; iSpot).