Felicity Writing Away: E - EUCOMIS-COMOSA

Good evening

This is a bit of a different post today. It is less about my experiences and more about the classifications, distribution and habitats of the Eucomis-comosa which is on the seriously endangered list of South African wild plants. A lot of the information has been included as it is in the source documents, rather than my trying to include my own perspectives. Luckily the plant is now being cultivated for domestic garden use, otherwise this beautiful plant would disappear. All sources for the material are included at the end of the post.

ENDANGERED

Slender Pineapple Flower (English)Krulkoppie (Afrikaans)

The Eucomis comosa is on the ‘Red List’ of endangered plant species.

Eucomis comosa, commonly known as the pineapple Flower or Lily, is native to the grassland on the hillsides of KwaZulu Natal and the Eastern Cape of South Africa. It features a basal rosette of strap-shaped, linear, wavy-edged, purple-spotted, dark green leaves which spread upward and outward to 24". The genus name also comes from the tuft of foliage, but in this case, the name compares it to a tuft of hair: "Eucomis" combines the Greek words “eu,” meaning good, and “come,” meaning hair.

Family - Asparagus
Order - Asparagus and allies
Class - Monocotyledons

TRADITIONAL MEDICINE

Eucomis comosa has been recorded in the Durban traditional medicine markets (e.g. von Ahlefeldt et al. 2003) and it may occur sporadically in the Johannesburg markets (it hasn't been positively identified there yet). It is, however, commonly traded in the Eastern Cape and not much of it can be found in the wild (A.P. Dold pers. comm., 2008).

Dold and Cocks (2002) list it as the 58th most common species in the Eastern Cape markets, but it is sold in small quantities. Some decline has probably occurred, but the extent and time frames aren't clear as the plant is being used for traditional medicines.

Traditional Medicine Benefits of Pineapple Lily

Although the bulb is toxic, traditional healers use decoctions in water or milk as enemas for lower back pain, stomach aches, colic and flatulence. It can also help relieve hangovers, treat syphilis, break fevers and induce birth. Compounds (flavonoids) found in the pineapple lily have antispasmodic actions and is anti-inflammatory and antifungal.

Research by the University of Natal found that the pineapple lily leaves of young plants and the bulbs and root extracts of older plants exhibited higher anti-inflammatory activity, with levels increasing towards the end of the growing season.

This further validates the use of both leaves and bulbs of the pineapple lily in treating fever and pain associated with inflammation. In addition, E. autumnalis is the most commonly used herbal remedy for post-operative recovery and the treatment of bone fractures in South Africa.

The pineapple lily bulb is one of the most popular medicines used by traditional healers and extensive wild harvesting has put the plant under threat of over-exploitation and extinction. A study showed that the average size of the bulbs sold for medicine decreased significantly between 1995 and 2001. This was believed to be an indication of overexploitation.

Medical Disclaimer

Information is for educational and informational purposes only and may not be construed as medical advice. The information is not intended to replace medical advice or treatment offered by healthcare professionals.

GARDENING

Domestic gardening will most likely be the saviour of this beautiful indigenous plant so I have added a lot of information for those who wish to cultivate it.

It grows best in full sun in either damp or dry spots. An excellent garden plant that looks particularly good amongst grasses. It also makes a good, long lasting cut flower. The spikes of sweetly scented, pink or maroon star-shaped flowers with attractive purple ovaries are borne from October to February.

Growth Rate: Fast Growing
Evergreen or Deciduous: Deciduous
Hardiness - Frost: Frost Hardy
Plant Type: Bulbs and Rhizomes
Position: Semi-shade, Sun - Afternoon, Sun - Full, Sun - Morning
Soil: Loamy - Compost rich Soil, well-drained
Garden Uses: Bird and bee friendly
Garden Uses: Container Plant, Cut Flower, Groundcover, Long Flowering, Small Gardens
Hardiness - Drought: Drought Hardy
Flower colour: Pink shades, Red shades
Garden type: Grassland Garden, Wildlife Garden

Garden Soil and Soil Type

Water: Originating from South Africa, pineapple lily thrives in well-drained, semi-arid conditions and is drought-tolerant. Water weekly during growth, with a dry rest post-flowering. Adequate sunlight and warmth support its unique flower spikes, which require proper water management for optimal blooming.

Fertilise: For optimal growth and flowering of pineapple lily, use balanced nutrition fertilizers monthly during active growth and switch to high-phosphorus formulas pre-bloom. Apply quarter-strength doses, avoiding over-fertilization. Cease fertilization in dormancy and adjust practices seasonally to align with pineapple lily's growth cycle.

Pruning: Pineapple lily, with its unique pineapple-like flowers, needs minimal pruning. Trim faded flower stalks in early to late spring for better health and growth. Removing dead or yellow leaves improves appearance and reduces pests. Proper timing is key to prevent disease and encourage new growth.

Propagation: Pineapple lily is propagated mainly through division by separating offsets from the parent bulb. Maintain root integrity when teasing out the smaller bulbs. Plant them in well-draining soil at the right depth to encourage successful establishment and root growth.

Propagation is by separating out the bulb-shoots when the bulb multiplies, seed or leaf cuttings. The pineapple lily is a beautiful garden plant, which is often planted in profusion in rockeries where they tolerate poor soil and winter rain. They also do well in rich soil.