Eucomis comosa Hort. ex Wehrh.

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘The trivial name [punctata] is taken from the curious dotting of the stem and leaves.  Introduced by Mr. John Graefer, in 1783, from the Cape of Good Hope.’  [BM t.913/1806].

History at Camden Park

Listed in all published catalogues [B.109/1843].

Notes

I have found no record of a plant named Eucomis umbellatis but it is possible that umbellatis refers to a variety with a particularly well developed umbrella-like tuft of leaves at the top of the flower spike.  It may be a misspelling, quite common in the catalogues.  The other two species of Eucomis growing in the Cape of Good Hope are also possible candidates, perhaps more likely as they possess a rather larger tuft of leaves.

Eucomis regia Ait. has leaves much broader than the other species, prostrate, flowers congested, green.  To 15cm.  [RHSD, CECB].  Introduced to Britain in 1702.  [JD].  Redouteé L pl.175/1802-15.  This is the plant used as illustration.

Eucomis autumnalis (Mill.) Chitt., synonyms Eucomis undulata Ait., Eucomis regia L’Hér., is a bulbous perennial with strap-shaped leaves with wavy margins and racemes of pale greenish-white flowers, aging to darker green, in late summer and autumn.  To 30cm.  [RHSE, Hortus, CECB].  ‘Raised in Chelsea Gardens, by P. Miller, from seeds received from the Cape of Good Hope, in 1760.’  [BM t.1083/1808].