Eucomis
Pineapple lily
Eucomis, commonly known as the pineapple lily, is a striking medicinal plant native to southern Africa. Renowned for its unique rosette of flowers, it has historically been used in traditional practices to treat ailments like indigestion, inflammation, and skin irritations. This ornamental gem offers both beauty and therapeutic potential.
- Scientific name: Eucomis
- Family: Asparagaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Asparagales and 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 by various names depending on the region and language, is widely recognized in botanical circles. In Polish, it is referred to as Warkocznica, while in Russian, it is called эвкомис. German speakers call it Schopflilien, and in Swedish, it is known as Tofsliljesläktekt. Additionally, in Bulgarian, the plant is commonly named еукомис.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| pl | Warkocznica | Wikidata |
| ru | эвкомис | Wikidata |
| de | Schopflilien | Wikidata |
| sv | Tofsliljesläktet | Wikidata |
| bg | еукомис | Wikidata |
| ja | ユーコミス | Wikidata |
| hr | Ananas cvijet | Wikidata |
| cs | chocholatice | Wikidata |
| fi | Töyhtövanat | Wikidata |
| ar | أقموسة | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant is primarily distributed across various regions within the southern part of the African continent. In South Tropical Africa, its presence is documented in Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia. It also thrives within the borders of Zimbabwe, contributing to the biodiversity of the South Tropical African zone. Furthermore, the species can be found extending into the Southern Africa region, specifically within Botswana. Together, these locations highlight a concentrated geographical range centered around these specific nations.
| 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, commonly known as the pineapple lily, relies primarily on its large, fleshy bulbs to store essential nutrients and moisture, allowing it to thrive in various environments. These bulbs serve as the vital underground storage organs that support the development of its striking flower stalks and lush green foliage. Because the bulbs act as a concentrated energy reserve, they are the most critical structural component for the plant's survival and seasonal regrowth.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| bulbs | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Eucomis has 6 reported activities identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antifungal, Antimicrobial, Antiplasmodial, Antitumor, Cytotoxic.
- Total activities
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 6
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antifungal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiplasmodial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antitumor | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Phytotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Eucomis has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include rheumatism, venereal diseases.
- Total uses
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| rheumatism | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| venereal diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |