This oddity of a plant never ceases to interest those who see it for the first time. From large bulbs, usually grown exposed (which helps prevent rot from excessive moisture) come thin, asparagus-like stems that branch and curl in various directions looking for support (young seedling plants also produce narrow leaves, but this type of growth seems to be left behind as the plant matures). This climbing, so called 'stem' looks to be a modified flower spike, and on more mature plants it does indeed produce tiny, greenish-white flowers. Its natural tendancy is to look for something to climb upon, but it can also be allowed to drap and hang.
Best suited to pot culture because of its intolerance of standing water, one should only apply water when the plant is actively growing during the cooler winter months, and only then after the pot has been allowed to dry out in between. In summer, after flowering, allow the plant to gradually become drier. The climbing stem will whither and dry (at which point it can be removed). In fall, when the plant shows signs of regrowth, the sparing watering cycle can begin again.
Often said to be poisonous, there is evidence that the bulbs may in fact be eaten. The toxic suspicion may be a result of confusion with other plants such as the false sea onion.
The monotypic (a single species) genus Bowiea is named for the most notable of the African collectors was James Bowie (1789-1869) who initially collected for Kew Gardens in England. Bowie eventually returned to South Africa as a private collector where he worked on a consignment basis.
