Bowiea volubilis
Climbing onion
Bowiea volubiis, commonly known as the Queen of succulents, is a fascinating climbing bulb native to Southern Africa. Renowned for its striking, fleshy leaves and unique climbing habit, this medicinal plant is traditionally used in various cultures to treat ailments ranging from stomach issues to respiratory discomfort and skin irritations.
- Scientific name: Bowiea volubilis
- Family: Asparagaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Asparagales, it is a member of the Asparagaceae family. Its scientific classification concludes with the genus Bowiea, specifically identified as Bowiea volubilis.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Asparagales | WCVP |
| Family | Asparagaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Bowiea | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known by several names across different regions and languages, is referred to as Bowiea in both Portuguese (pt) and Spanish (es). In Finnish (fi), it is called mukelo, while in Japanese (ja), it is known as タマツルクサ. Additionally, in German (de), it is commonly called Kletterzwiebel.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| pt | Bowiea | Wikidata |
| es | Bowiea | Wikidata |
| fi | mukelo | Wikidata |
| ja | タマツルクサ | Wikidata |
| de | Kletterzwiebel | Wikidata |
| de | Kletterkartoffel | Wikidata |
| de | Zulukartoffel | Wikidata |
| fr | Bowiea volubis | Wikidata |
| es | Ophiobostryx | Wikidata |
| es | Schizobasopsis | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant is native to several regions within the African continent. In East Tropical Africa, its distribution includes the countries of Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. It can also be found further south across the continent. Specifically, it is located in South Tropical Africa within the nation of Angola. Additionally, its range extends to include Malawi in the southern region.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| East Tropical Africa | Kenya | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Tanzania | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Uganda | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Angola | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Malawi | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Mozambique | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Zimbabwe | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Cape Provinces | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Namibia | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | KwaZulu-Natal | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known scientifically as Bowiea volubilis, is characterized as a bulbous plant that stores its essential nutrients and medicinal compounds within its specialized underground structures. The most significant part of the species is its large, fleshy bulbs, which serve as the primary reservoir for the plant's bioactive substances. Because it is a bulbous plant, these bulbs are the main component used in traditional medicinal practices, often requiring careful preparation to harness their therapeutic properties.- Total parts
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| bulbs | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bulbous plant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Bowiea volubilis has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include cardiac glycosides, saponins.
- Total chemicals
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cardiac glycosides | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| saponins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Bowiea volubilis has 6 reported activities identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antifungal, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant.
- Total activities
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 6
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Bowiea volubilis has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include coughs, respiratory infections.
- Total uses
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| coughs | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| respiratory infections | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |