Eucomis autumnalis seeds grow into the autumn pineapple lily — a bulbous geophyte native to the subtropical biome of southern tropical and southern Africa — from Malawi and Zimbabwe south through South Africa. Originally described as Fritillaria autumnalis by Philip Miller; transferred to Eucomis by Chittenden. The epithet autumnalis means 'autumnal', referring to the late summer and autumn flowering period. Produces a cylindrical raceme of green, yellow or white star-shaped flowers topped by a distinctive crown of green, leaf-like bracts that gives the inflorescence its pineapple-like character — hence the common name. Two subspecies: subsp. autumnalis and subsp. clavata (Baker) Reyneke. The genus Eucomis derives its name from the Greek eukomos = 'lovely-haired', referring to the crown of leafy bracts. Bulbs of Eucomis species are used in Zulu, Tswana, Sotho and Xhosa traditional medicine. Family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae.Full sun; well-drained soils; warm subtropical to cool temperate conditions; dry winter dormancy. Cold-tolerant to approximately −10°C once established. Originally Fritillaria autumnalis Mill.; 'autumnalis' = autumnal; 2 subspecies including subsp. clavata Pineapple lily — crown of leafy bracts mimics pineapple; genus from Greek eukomos = lovely-haired S. Tropical & S. Africa (Malawi, Zimbabwe, S. Africa) — subtropical biome; autumn-flowering Bulbs used in Zulu, Tswana, Sotho and Xhosa traditional medicine; ornamental and medicinal Full sun; well-drained soils; warm subtropical; cold-tolerant; Family Asparagaceae Eucomis autumnalis is the autumn pineapple lily — its pineapple-crowned inflorescence of green or white flowers making it one of the most architecturally distinctive of all African bulbs, flowering in the late season from Malawi to South Africa and widely grown for its ornamental impact and long-lasting cut flower qualities. IMPORTANT: Pictures show the adult plant, which is not for sale. The offer is only for seeds.
