Bowiea volubilis Harv. ex Hook. f.
- Common Name: Climbing Onion
- Family: Asparagaceae Juss.
- Country of Origin: South Africa
- Habitat: Semi-arid areas of eastern South 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.
- 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.
Flowering Data:
This accession has been observed in bloom on:
| Year | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
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| 2017 |
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| 2016 |
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| 2015 |
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| 2014 |
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| 2013 |
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| 2012 |
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| 2011 |
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| 2010 |
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| 2009 |
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| 2008 |
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Accession Data:
- Accession # 198501019
- Source: Unknown
- Accession Date: 12-31-1985
- Bench: 2205 - XER:Namib / Karoo B
- Currently: active - healthy
- Qty: 3 confirmed on 09-19-2017
Classification:
- Division: Magnoliophyta
- Class: Liliopsida
- SubClass: monocots
- Order: Asparagales
- SubOrder:
- Family: Asparagaceae
- SubFamily: Scilloideae
- Tribe: Urgineeae
- SubTribe:
References (internal):
References (external):
Botanica, Turner & Wasson, 1997, CD-ROM Version
data regenerated on Wed, 20 Sep 2017 00:16:36 -0400
= indicates flowering in past 10 days