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Schizobasopsis volubilis (Harv. ex Hook.f.) J.F.Macbr.
Contr. Gray Herb. 56: 3. 1918
Family: HYACINTHACEAE

Accepted Scientific Name: Bowiea volubilis Harv. ex Hook.f.
Bot. Mag. 93: t. 5619. 1867 [1 Jan 1867]

Schizobasopsis volubilis (Bowiea volubilis) Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli
Bowiea volubilis is an odd-looking long lived bulbous plant that is easy to grow. It produces frothy strands of foliage and myriads of yellowish-green delicate flowers in late winter/late spring.

Synonyms:

See all synonyms of Bowiea volubilis
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Accepted name in llifle Database:
Bowiea volubilis Harv. ex Hook.f.
Bot. Mag. 93: t. 5619. 1867 [1 Jan 1867]
Synonymy: 6 Accepted name in llifle Database:
Bowiea volubilis subs. gariepensis (van Jaarsv.) Bruyns
Caryologia 40(4): 291 (1987 publ. 1988)
Synonymy: 2
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Common Names include:
ENGLISH: Zulu Potato, Sea Onion, Climbing Onion, Climbing Green Lily
AFRIKAANS (Afrikaans): Knolklimop
PERSIAN (فارسی): بوویا
XHOSA (isiXhosa): Umagaqana, Umagaquana, Umgaqana
ZULU (isiZulu): Gibisila, Gifisila, Iguleni, Ugibisila, Ugibisisila

Subspecies, varieties, forms and cultivars of plants belonging to the Bowiea volubilis group

  • Bowiea volubilis Harv. ex Hook.f.: (subsp. volubilis) bulb to 16 cm in diameter. Stems green. Flowers 10-16 mm across, perianth lobes green, re flexed, capsule valves acuminate. Distribution: Eastern parts of Africa from Cape Province to Kenya.
  • Bowiea volubilis subs. gariepensis (van Jaarsv.) Bruyns: Bulb to 14 cm in diameter. Stems glaucous. Flowers 14-23 mm in diameter, perianth lobes white, spreading, capsule valves refuse. Distribution:north-west of South Africa (Cape Province) and Namibia.

1270 cactus-art Cactus Art
Over time, the bulbs eventually split to produce two bulbs and even more as the plant becomes very old. (Bowiea volubilis) Photo by: Cactus Art
24043 zoltan Zoltán Oláh
- In a group of plants known for many interesting oddities, Bowiea volubilis is one of the great curiosities of the succulent world. It produces large onion-like bulbs that may measure from a few cm upward to as much as 25 cm across. (Bowiea volubilis) Photo by: Zoltán Oláh

1265 cactus-art Cactus Art
New growth in spring. (Bowiea volubilis) Photo by: Cactus Art
1268 valentino Valentino Vallicelli
The bulb looks like a globe of green jade resting on the ground, sometimes camouflaged by a paper-thin, brownish "onion skins". (Bowiea volubilis) Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli

1267 valentino Valentino Vallicelli
Bowiea bulbs are comprised of tightly clustered modified leaves, which serve as reserves of nutrients and moisture. (Bowiea volubilis) Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli
1266 cactus-art Cactus Art
Dry stem (wine) in winter. (Bowiea volubilis) Photo by: Cactus Art

1271 cactus-art Cactus Art
Schizobasopsis volubilis (Bowiea volubilis) Photo by: Cactus Art
1272 cactus-art Cactus Art
Schizobasopsis volubilis (Bowiea volubilis) Photo by: Cactus Art

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