Eucomis autumnalis flowers

These Eucomis autumnalis flowers seen in the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden during January are cream coloured. The Afrikaans common name of krulkoppie (little head of curly hair) refers to the rosette of green bracts above the cylinder of small flowers.

The plant makes a good garden or container subject and is widely used. It can be propagated by separating offsets formed naturally next to a bulb, from seed and even from leaf cuttings. Plants may also be propagated from tissue culture, a complex technology not for the gardener (Manning, 2009; www.plantzafrica.com).