Eucomis autumnalis

Eucomis autumnalis, commonly known as the Pineapple Lily, is a striking perennial native to South Africa. Distinguished by its unique rosette of leaves and a central flower spike resembling a pineapple, this plant offers stunning ornamental value and medicinal potential, traditionally utilized for its diverse healing properties in botanical practices.

  • Scientific name: Eucomis autumnalis
  • Family: Asparagaceae
  • Native range: Africa

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Asparagales, it is classified under the family Asparagaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Eucomis.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Asparagales WCVP
Family Asparagaceae WCVP
Genus Eucomis WCVP

Common Names

This plant, known scientifically as Eucomis autumnalis, is referred to by several different common names depending on the language. In German, it is called die Gewelltte Schopflilie, while in Arabic, it is identified as يوكوميس خريفاليس. In Chinese, the plant is commonly known as 秋凤梨百合, a name that is consistently used across the zh, zh-hans, and zh-cn language codes.
Language Common Name Source
de Gewellte Schopflilie Wikidata
arz يوكوميس خريفاليس Wikidata
zh 秋凤梨百合 Wikidata
zh-hans 秋凤梨百合 Wikidata
zh-cn 秋凤梨百合 Wikidata
ja ホシオモト Wikidata

Distribution

This plant is primarily found throughout the regions of Southern and South Tropical Africa. Within the South Tropical Africa zone, its distribution includes the countries of Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia. It can also be located within the borders of Zimbabwe. Furthermore, the species extends its range into the Southern Africa region, specifically occurring in Botswana. These specific territories define the natural geographical footprint of Eucomis autumnalis.

Region Area Source
South Tropical Africa Malawi WCVP
South Tropical Africa Mozambique WCVP
South Tropical Africa Zambia WCVP
South Tropical Africa Zimbabwe WCVP
Southern Africa Botswana WCVP
Southern Africa Cape Provinces WCVP
Southern Africa Lesotho WCVP
Southern Africa KwaZulu-Natal WCVP
Southern Africa Free State WCVP
Southern Africa Eswatini WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, known as the pineapple lily, is a perennial herb characterized by its striking appearance, where the whole plant features long, strap-like leaves and a unique inflorescence topped with a tuft of bracts. The most significant part for medicinal and botanical interest is the bulb, which serves as the plant's primary storage organ for nutrients and water. These underground bulbs are fleshy and bulbous in shape, allowing the species to survive dormant periods in its natural habitat.
Total parts
3
Scientific sources
4
Plant Part Sources Confidence
bulbs 2 ★☆☆☆☆
whole plant 1 ★☆☆☆☆
bulb 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Eucomis autumnalis has 17 reported phytochemicals identified across 18 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, ALP, Copper, Cu, Eckol.

Total chemicals
17
Scientific sources
18

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
flavonoids 2 ★☆☆☆☆
ALP 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Copper 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Cu 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Eckol 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Mercury 1 ★☆☆☆☆
NaCl 1 ★☆☆☆☆
OPG 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Zn 1 ★☆☆☆☆
benzyladenine 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Eucomis autumnalis has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Embryotoxic.

Total activities
1
Scientific sources
1

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Embryotoxic 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Eucomis autumnalis has 8 reported medicinal uses identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Salinity Stress, back pain, backache, headache, osteoarthritis.

Total uses
8
Scientific sources
8

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
Salinity Stress 1 ★☆☆☆☆
back pain 1 ★☆☆☆☆
backache 1 ★☆☆☆☆
headache 1 ★☆☆☆☆
osteoarthritis 1 ★☆☆☆☆
salinity 1 ★☆☆☆☆
salt stress 1 ★☆☆☆☆
wound healing 1 ★☆☆☆☆