Eucomis autumnalis
Description
The bulbs of Eucomis autumnalis are large (up to 10 cm). The plants (including the inflorescence) can grow up to 60 cm high.
The single inflorescence is a cylindrical raceme atop a stout stem, carrying more than a hundred flowers, which are yellow to yello-green in colour. The receme is tipped with a tuft of leaf-like bracts, looking somewhat like the leaves on a pineaple top (the reason for the common name for this species). When the flowers have been fertilised, the flowers turn green, making the inflorescence decorative while the trilocular (three-chambered) flruit ripens to produce shiny black round seeds.
Taxonomy
The specific name autumnalis refers to its flowering and fruiting time. Different botanists have given a variety of names to this species, often because a variants (subspecies) used to be defined as a separate species.
Distribution
Distribution of all Eucomis species is similar, see Eucomis
Cultivation
Eucomis autumnalis makes a good horticultural specimen. Plant them in groups in the herbaceous border, in large pots, or in rockeries. The flowers last well, in the garden as well as the vase, and after flowering, the ripening fruit on the inflorescence are also decorative. Easy to grow, these bulbs should be planted with their tops at ground level. They prefer a position of full sun (though they will tolerate partial shade), and prefer a rich and well composted soil. Adding well-rotted compost every spring and lots of water during the growing season will result in better flowering in the coming seasons. These plants are winter dormant, and frost hardy to Zone 9 (-7 C / 20 F).
Propagation
Propagate Eucomis autumnalis from seed sown in spring. Seedlings should emerge within 46 weeks. Seedlings shoul be protected for the first few years and are ready to be planted in the garden in their third year. Seedlings may take up to 5 seasons to bloom. The bulb also may produce offsets, which can be removed while the plant is dormant. The bulblets can then be planted the following spring. Leaf cuttings can be taken while the plant is in active growth. If sections of 5 cm each can be planted in sterilised and well-drained soil are kept is a humid environment, tiny bulbs should form within a few months. Sterilised bulb scales, leaf bases or flower stalks can be used in tissue culture.
Notes and References
^ a b Notten, Allice (January 2002). “Eucomis autumnalis (Mill.) Chitt”. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens: South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa. http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantefg/eucomisautum.htm. Retrieved 2008-12-04.
Categories: Hyacinthaceae | Garden plants of Southern Africa | Flora of Southern Africa
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