Dioscorea elephantipes, known as the Elephant's Foot, is one of the most beautiful, weird and wonderful, caudiciform plants around! It has a deeply fissured surface, resembling an elephant's foot, hence its common name. The tuber can reach 90cm in diameter. It is native to South Africa.
Dioscorea elephantipes is summer deciduous and is a perennial geophytic climber. In summer the leafless plant conserves energy by dropping its leaves in October, just before the onset of the summer heat. The stems grow in a climbing fashion. The leaves are heart-shaped. The vine can reach up to 2 metres high.
Male flowers are erect with spiny racemes. Female flowers are in spinescent, spreading spikes. Flowers are pale greenish yellow and normally appear in May or June.
Dioscorea elephantipes will live for approx. 70 years in cultivation, if it is looked after. It makes a most interesting container plant. Remember it drops its leaves in late November. Do not over-water during the summer months, as this will shorten its life span by at least half. Dioscorea elephantipes needs a rest period. In its natural environment it rests during the hot dry summer. Dioscorea elephantipes grows in the winter and the spring months.
It is used to extreme heat (above 40°C), but it can also take low temperatures (–4°C).
For sale is a packet of fresh seeds.
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