Botanical name: Bowiea volubilis    Family: Asparagaceae (Asparagus family)

Climbing Onion is a deciduous climber which climbs up to 3-4 m over surrounding vegetation or scrambles over rocks on hillsides. The bulb is large, reaching 15 cm 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 1.6-2.4 cm in diameter, green, with stalks turning backwards. Fruits are in the form of a brownish oval capsule, about an inch in diameter. Climbing Onion is widespread in South Africa and elsewhere in Easter Africa, at altitudes of 300-2320 m. Flowering: January-March.

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The flower labeled Climbing Onion is ...