Eucomis bicolor

Eucomis bicolor
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Embryophytes
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Asparagaceae
Subfamily: Scilloideae
Genus: Eucomis
Species:
E. bicolor
Binomial name
Eucomis bicolor

Eucomis bicolor, the variegated pineapple lily[2] is a bulbous species of flowering plant in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae, native to Southern Africa (the Cape Provinces, Lesotho, KwaZulu-Natal, the Free State, and the Northern Provinces).[1] It is occasionally cultivated as an ornamental bulbous plant.

Description

In the Royal Natal National Park

Eucomis bicolor is a perennial growing from a large underground bulb. It reaches 30–60 cm (12–24 in) in height, with a basal rosette of wavy purple maculated leaves 30–50 cm (12–20 in) long. In late summer (August in the UK), it produces a stout green stem (peduncule), often with purple streaks. The inflorescence is a raceme of pale green and purple colored flowers with tepals up to 15 mm (1⁄2 in) long, borne on pedicels 2 cm (3⁄4 in) long. The inflorescence is terminated by a head (coma) of pale green leafy bracts, sometimes tinged with purple. The open flowers have an odor of spoiled meat. The ovaries are bright green.[3][4][5]

The homoisoflavanone-type antimicrobial compounds eucomin, eucomol,[6] (E)-7-O-methyl-eucomin, (—)-7-O-methyleucomol, (+)-3,9-dihydro-eucomin and 7-O-methyl-3,9-dihydro-eucomin[7] can be isolated from the bulbs of this species.

Taxonomy

Eucomis bicolor was first described by John Gilbert Baker in 1878.[1] The specific epithet bicolor means "two-coloured";[8] the tepals are pale green with purple margins.[3] It is a tetraploid species of Eucomis, with 2n = 4x = 60.[9]

Distribution

Eucomis bicolor is native to Southern Africa (the Cape Provinces, Lesotho, KwaZulu-Natal, the Free State, and the Northern Provinces).[1] Along the Drakensberg escarpment it is found in damp grassland, often near streams, up to elevations of 2,500 m (8,200 ft).[3]

Ecology

Eucomis bicolor is primarily pollinated by dipterans such as the blowflies, house flies and flesh flies, which are attracted by various volatile sulfur compounds that are emitted by the plant.[10]

Cultivation

In cultivation, Eucomis bicolor may not be fully frost-hardy. In the US, it is classed as hardy in USDA zones 8–10, and usually requiring a winter mulch in colder areas (zones 6 and 7).[2] In the UK, it is said to be hardy down to −10 °C (14 °F), if kept dry in winter. Sun exposure and plentiful water are required in summer for successful flowering.[3] It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[11]

The cultivar E. bicolor 'Alba' lacks all purple coloration and may have reduced odor. It resembles Eucomis autumnalis but can be distinguished by the presence of long flower stalks known as pedicels.[3]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Eucomis bicolor". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  2. 1 2 "Pineapple lily – Eucomis bicolor". Fine Gardening. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Compton, James (1990). "Eucomis L'Heritier". The Plantsman. 12 (3): 129–139.
  4. ↑ "August 2011 Plant Profile: Eucomis bicolor". University of Washington Botanic Gardens. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  5. ↑ RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 978-1405332965.
  6. ↑ Heller, W. & Tamm, Ch. (1981). "Homoisoflavanones and Biogenetically Related Compounds". Fortschritte der Chemie organischer Naturstoffe / Progress in the Chemistry of Organic Natural Products, Volume 40. pp. 105–152. doi:10.1007/978-3-7091-8611-4_3.
  7. ↑ Heller, W.; Andermatt, P.; Schaad, W.A. & Tamm, C. (1976). "Homoisoflavonones. IV. New constituents of the eucomin series of Eucomis bicolor". Helvetica Chimica Acta. 59 (6): 2048–2058. doi:10.1002/hlca.19760590618. PMID 1017955.
  8. ↑ Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. p. 224. ISBN 9781845337315.
  9. ↑ Zonneveld, B.J.M. & Duncan, G.D. (2010). "Genome sizes of Eucomis L'Hér. (Hyacinthaceae) and a description of the new species Eucomis grimshawii G.D.Duncan & Zonneveld". Plant Systematics and Evolution. 284 (1–2): 99–109. doi:10.1007/s00606-009-0236-y.
  10. ↑ "Eucomis bicolor Baker". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  11. ↑ "Eucomis bicolor AGM". Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  • Dibakwane, Dineo (July 2015). "Eucomis bicolor". PlantZAfrica.com. SANBI. Retrieved 7 November 2018.
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