Bowiea volubilis

Common Name: Climbing Onion

Family: Asparagaceae

Country of Origin: Uganda to S. Africa

Description: This South African species has a partially exposed bright green fleshy bulb up to 8 in (20 cm) in diameter. The true leaves that emerge from the bulb are small, very short lived and easily overlooked, but they are replaced by the scrambling or twining, much-branched green flowering stems up to 15 ft (4 m) long which are scattered with starry, green flowers to 5/8 inch diameter, perianth segments becoming reflexed.

USDA Zone: 9

Accession #: 198501019

Accession Date: 1985-12-31 00:00:00

Bloom Status: 🪴 Not Flowering

Location: 2205

Quantity: 3

Source: Unknown

Culture: They are usually claimed by the succulent enthusiasts, who like to grow them with the bulb displayed above the soil, though that is not necessarily the way they grow in the wild. Cultivation is not too difficult in a container such as a large pot or a hanging basket, provided that the soil is gritty and perfectly drained and the plant is placed in strong light. Stakes or wires can be provided for the climbing branches, or they can be allowed to hang down. The plant should be watered very sparingly except during the growing season, when new stems emerge from the bulb. Propagation is normally from seed.

Division: Magnoliophyta

Class: Liliopsida

Subclass: monocots

Order: Asparagales

Family: Asparagaceae

SubFamily: Scilloideae

Tribe: Urgineeae