Eucomis is a southern African genus of flowering plants in the Hyacinthaceae family. The species name Eucomis is of Greek origin, eu- meaning “pleasing” and kome “hair of the head”, which refers to the tuft of leaf-like bracts that crown the inflorescence of the species in this genus. They are bulbous perennials with basal rosettes of leaves with stout stems covered in star-shaped flowers. Plants are commonly known as Pineapple Lilies because in several of the species the flowers resemble a pineapple. Most of the species are indigenous to the summer rainfall areas of South Africa. They grow well in rockeries and pots and under cultivation they have proved to be cold hardy, particularly when planted deeply. They are best grown in the shade and given regular water during their active growth period. This is particularly true of plants grown in sun as otherwise the leaves will become limp and burn. Plants belonging to the Eucomis genus are found in South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland, Zimbabwe and Malawi. Species can be found in grassland, forest, swamps and on river banks.

Eucomis pallidiflora ssp. pallidiflora, commonly known as Giant Pineapple Lily, is a South African indigenous species found in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces extending into Lesotho and Eswatini. The white to green flowers appear in summer and are arranged in a spike, topped by a “head” of green leaflike bracts. Some forms reach almost 2 m when in flower. The species is cultivated as an ornamental plant, although it is not hardy in areas where severe frosts occur. It is found at a range of altitudes, from 915 m to 2,080 m. It has a relatively densely packed raceme of flowers on a stem (peduncule) up to 47 cm high from the base to the first flower.