Crown Pineapple Lily

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Crown Pineapple Lily

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Eucomis punctata var. concolor
• Eucomis punctata var. striata
• Asphodelus comosus
• Eucomis striata
• Eucomea elata

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

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

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily found within the diverse landscapes of Southern Africa. Its natural range includes specific regions located throughout the Cape Provinces. Additionally, it can be discovered growing in the KwaZulu-Natal area. These locations represent the core territories where the species thrives in the wild. Consequently, its geographical distribution is concentrated within these distinct southern African provinces.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Eucomis comosa is characterized by its distribution across varied altitudinal gradients, typically thriving within an elevational range that begins at 120 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 2000 m AMSL. This broad vertical range allows the species to inhabit diverse montane and sub-montane ecosystems, where it adapts to fluctuating environmental conditions and varying levels of moisture availability. Its presence across such a significant span of elevation suggests a high degree of ecological plasticity, enabling it to occupy niche habitats ranging from lower-altitude foothills to higher, cooler mountainous regions.

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

120 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Eucomis comosa is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a geophyte, it relies on specialized underground storage organs to survive periods of dormancy and unfavorable environmental conditions. This storage mechanism classifies it as a cryptophyte, a strategy that ensures its survival by keeping the vital parts of the plant protected beneath the soil surface during non-productive phases.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Eucomis comosa is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb. This plant is a self-supporting species, exhibiting neither climbing nor parasitic tendencies, as it functions as an independent organism. It is strictly terrestrial in its habitat, lacking aquatic or epiphytic lifestyles. In terms of physical stature, the plant maintains a relatively low profile, with a height ranging from a minimum of 0.2 m to a maximum of 1 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height min:

0.2 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Eucomis comosa has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Polymers

Chemicals

Eucomis comosa has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Terpenoids, Cardiac Glycosides, POTASSIUM, Saponins.

Flavonoids

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine
2. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Terpenoids

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine
2. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Cardiac Glycosides

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

POTASSIUM

1. Polymers

Saponins

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

polyphenols

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Eucomis comosa has 4 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antifungal, Antioxidant.

Antibacterial

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine

Anticancer

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Antifungal

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine

Antioxidant

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Medicinal Uses

Eucomis comosa has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, elephantiasis.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations