How to identify Pineapple lilies (Eucomis)

How to identify Pineapple lilies (Eucomis)

Pineapple lilies exhibits a unique and striking appearance with a rosette of lance-shaped, leathery leaves that can grow to be 1-2 feet (30-60 cm) long. During its blooming season, pineapple lilies produces a tall flower spike, capped by a dense cluster of starry flowers with a tuft of green bracts at the top, giving it a resemblance to a tropical pineapple. Peduncles can reach up to 3 feet (about 90 cm), while the blooming period spans the summer months, showcasing a variety of colors, including shades of purple, white, and green.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Herb

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Pineapple lilies

Lance-shaped, leathery leaves growing 1-2 feet (30-60 cm) long in a rosette.

Tall flower spike with starry flowers and green tufted bracts, resembling a tropical pineapple.

Distinctive green and purple stem, 2 feet (60 cm) tall, smooth surface, no branching.

Long, strappy leaves with wavy edges, vibrant green color, 6 inches (15 cm) long.

Basal rosette arrangement of leaves with prominent central vein and parallel finer veins.

Detailed Traits of Pineapple lilies

Leaf Features

The leaves of pineapple lilies are distinctively long, strappy, and have wavy edges. They are a vibrant green color and can grow up to 6 inches (15 cm) in length. These leaves form a basal rosette, creating a striking ground-level arrangement. Their texture is smooth, and they display a prominent central vein with finer veins running parallel. The overall form and veining contribute to their unique and identifiable appearance.

Learn About the Leaf Glossary

Flower Features

The star-shaped flowers of pineapple lilies come in shades of greenish-white, pink, or purple and form a dense cylindrical raceme. Each raceme measures approximately 1-2 feet (30-60 cm) in length. The flowers bloom sequentially from bottom to top during late summer to fall, lasting for 6-8 weeks. They exude a mild fragrance and are topped with showy green bracts. The blossoms make a striking and distinctive feature for this plant, enhancing its ornamental appeal.

Learn About the Flower Glossary

Stem Features

The stem of pineapple lilies is sturdy and notable for its unique coloration, measuring approximately 2 feet (60 cm) tall. It features a striking pattern of green base color flecked with contrasting purple spots. The stem surface is smooth to the touch and evenly thick throughout, devoid of any significant branching. This color combination provides a distinctive and attractive appearance, useful for identification. The stem's structural integrity supports the overall stability and growth of the plant.

Learn About the Stem Glossary

A Botanist in Your Pocket

Scan QR code to download

More Plants You May Like and How to Identify Them

Cape jasmine

Gardenia jasminoides is an evergreen shrub with unique, glossy evergreen leaves and stunning flowers. The sophisticated, matte white flowers are often used in bouquets. The exceptional beauty of this ornamental plant has made it a popular and highly appreciated plant amongst gardeners and horticulturalists.

Golden pothos

The golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a popular houseplant that is commonly seen in Australia, Asia, and the West Indies. It goes by many nicknames, including "devil's ivy", because it is so hard to kill and can even grow in low light conditions. Golden pothos has poisonous sap, so it should be kept away from pets and children.

Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum is an annual or perennial herbaceous vine native to Central and South America that produces a large, juicy, edible fruit known as tomato. Today there are over 10000 cultivated varieties. Although tomato is the world’s most popular vegetable, botanically it is a fruit.

Pepper

The pepper are commonly used for cooking in places such as the Southern U.S. and Central America. Most are moderately spicy, though because there are so many variants, the spice level can vary dramatically. Cayenne powder is also a popular seasoning product made from pepper plants.

Swiss cheese plant

The swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa) produces bright, glossy leaves and makes a popular houseplant. It is originally native to tropical forest regions in Central America. The nickname swiss cheese plant refers to the small holes that develop in the plant's leaves. The long fruits resemble corncobs and smell sweet and fragrant when ripe.

Bigleaf hydrangea

The bigleaf hydrangea is a deciduous shrub native to Japan, and is known for its lush, oval, colorful inflorescence. The two types of Hydrangea macrophylla are mopheads - with large, ball-shaped, sterile flower clusters, and lace capes - with small round fertile flowers in the center, and sterile flowers on the outer side of each inflorescence. Depending on soil pH, blooms can change color from pink to blue.