Stem is demonstrative of O'Connell's preoccupation with minutiae and the pervasive influence of nature upon her work.

The piece is a direct result of an experiment the artist carried out after having noticed a sprouting onion in her garden which she subsequently planted. The result was a spectacular allium plant which grew over the proceeding months. To O'Connell the plant was symbolic of chance and potential and, as a result, she sought to immortalise the perishable allium by pouring plaster down its stem and casting it.