Earlier names, now regarded as synonyms, are Kleinia rowleyana (Jacobsen) G.Kunkel, Gartenpraxis, 14(1): 52 (1988) and Senecio rowleyanus H.Jacobsen, National Cact.

[2] Curio rowleyanus receives its common name from specialized leaves which are the size and shape of small peas (about 6 mm or 1⁄4 inch diameter).Its trailing stems can grow 2–3 feet (60–90 cm).

There is a small tip at the distal point of each leaf and a thin band of dark green tissue on the side known as a "window" (see below).

The odd shape of the leaves is an adaptation to arid environments and allows for the storage of water while exposing a minimum amount of surface area per volume to the dry desert air.

[3] Although its spherical leaf morphology contributes to minimizing water loss, it also dramatically reduces the surface area available for the absorption of light and photosynthesis.

An adaptation that may help compensate for this reduction in light interception is a narrow, translucent, crescent-shaped band of tissue on the adaxial side of the lamina.

This plant can be propagated easily by cutting or pinching off 10 cm or 4 inches of healthy stem tip and lightly covering them with moist potting mix.