Bowiea volubilis - climbing onion - unusual succulent

Bowiea volubilis subsp volubilis has an unusual succulent adaptation - climbing inflorescences that harvest photosynthetic light in the absence of aerial leaves. 

It is a deciduous climber which climbs to 3-4 m in surrounding vegetation or scrambles over rocks on hillsides. The bulb is large, reaching 150 mm in diameter, with several fleshy white scales becoming greenish-yellow if exposed. Stems are fleshy, bright green, much branched and function as leaves. 




Flowers are 16-24 mm in diameter, green, with stalks turning backwards. Fruits are in the 
form of an oval capsule, about 25 mm in diameter.

Distribution and habitatBowiea volubilis subsp volubilis  has a wide distribution and occurs in the eastern parts of South Africa ranging from the Eastern Cape to Limpopo Province. It extends north into Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya and has also been recorded in Mozambique, Malawi and Angola. It grows generally at low and medium altitudes in a variety of habitats.







Bowiea was named by W.H. Harvey to honor James Bowie (1789-1869), a plant collector for Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew. The genus is monotypic with two subspecies – volubilis and gariepensis - both occurring in South Africa. The epithet volubilis is a reference to the subspecies' twining growth whereas gariepensis is a reference to the geographical area of growth. The subspecies grow in separate geographical areas and show differences in floral, capsule and seed characters.

Bowiea volubilis subsp volubilistolerates wet and dry conditions, growing predominantly in summer rainfall areas, which receive approximately 200 - 800 mm of annual rainfall. It flowers between January and March.

Bowiea is used extensively for medicinal purposes for various skin diseases, sore eyes, bladder problems, barrenness, to facilitate delivery, and to procure abortions. Its magical properties are well-regarded. Warriors are made brave and invincible, travellers protected, and love procured with this strange-looking plant.

As a result, in southern Africa this species faces severe threat due to the medicinal market.

Growing Bowiea volubilis

Few seeds are set, making offspring numbers low. If fruit are produced, the fine black seeds should be harvested as soon as the capsules start to split. The seeds should be sowed immediately onto a mix of one third sand and two thirds bark in seedling trays, and left for germination in semi-shade.

Vegetative propagation of Bowiea volubilis subsp volubilis is extremely slow and requires expensive tissue culture systems.