Eucomis schijffii on a summer's day

This Eucomis schijffii greets the hiker in the grass with welcome surprise in at least one of the parties. The plant’s leaves, the ones at the bottom on the ground are very unlike grass leaves. These plants are, however, very much at home here. The leaf-like bracts on top forming a crown or coma are similar to the leaves, making the plant resemble a pineapple and giving the hiker something to marvel at.

The smallest of all the Eucomis species and living at the highest elevations of them all, this is a true Drakensberg citizen, adapted to montane conditions beyond the scope of its bigger brethren of easier climes. Granted, it shelters underground in only bulb form when Drakensberg winters are at their fiercest. Growing new parts above the ground starts with the thaw while blooming comes in summer.

Pretty to see, though its flowers don’t smell so nice. Such things have to be endured though in order to please the weird tastes of the pollinators (iNaturalist; Wikipedia; https://pza.sanbi.org).