AbstractFrom the bulbs ofEucomis punctata L'Hérit. (Liliaceae) and of a hitherto undefined species ofEucomisa new optically active phenolic carboxylic acid, eucomic acid, was isolated. Structure1was assigned on the basis of chemical and spectral evidence. The absolute configuration of eucomic acid was determined by its correlation with piscidic acid ((2R, 3S)‐2‐(4′‐hydroxybenzyl)‐tartaric acid) (8). Consequently, eucomic acid is (R)‐(−)‐2‐(4′‐hydroxybenzyl)‐malic acid (1). For the stereospecific synthesis, methylcis‐p‐methoxybenzylidene‐succinic acid (22) was transformed into the γ‐lactone24which, by catalytic hydrogenolysis, yielded (±)‐2‐(4′‐hydroxybenzyl)‐malic acid 1‐methyl ester (27). Resolution with (−)‐quinine led to the enantiomeric acids29and30. The methyl ester of the levorotatory enantiomer30was identical w