Question
weird plant
I have "adopted" some strange plants from a friend who moved away. Can you
help me identify this one. I'd like to know how to care for it.
AnswerCristina,
I believe that it is a Climbing Onion, Sea Onion (Latin name is Bowiea volubilis). It is that if it has a large bulbous base that looks like an onion. If it does not it is a Pencil Cactus, Milkbush, Latin: Euphorbia tirucalli.
Neither plant is a cactus but both should be treated like a cactus with sandy soil, lots of sun and only watered when they have been dry for several days.
Sea onion sites:
http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Liliaceae/Bowiea_volubilis.html
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/59921/
Pencil Cactus Sites:
http://www.arhomeandgarden.org/plantoftheweek/articles/Pencil_Cactus.htm
http://www.denverplants.com/foliage/html/euphpenc.htm
If you have more questions feel free to write again. Good luck.
Darlene
