Eucomis bicolor

Eucomis bicolor

Family: Hyacinthaceae

Common name: Pineapple lily

It is a summer-growing, deciduous bulbous plant, growing in clumps of up to 1 m high. Leaves are about 60 – 100 mm, often having purple spots at the base and purplish red, wavy margins. The hollow flower stem has purple spots or stripes, and grows up to 450 mm high. The un-branched inflorescence is 60-100 mm long; it is then enthroned by a large overhanging tuft of floppy leafy bracts with a reddish purple margin.

Sowing instructions: Seed should be sown in spring or during summer, in a well-drained seedling mix, and need only be covered lightly with the sowing mix, clean coarse sand or milled bark. The trays should be kept moist in a warm but shaded position.

Locality: Sentinel Peak. Harvest: July 2024