Dioscorea (syn. Testudinaria - Subtropical Elephant's Foot)

Dioscorea (syn. Testudinaria) or Elephant Foot are usually herbaceous to evergreen perennial climbers with glossy, heart-shaped foliage and a showy, massive underground rootstock. The well-known Dioscorea elephantipes (formerly known as Testudine elephantipes) is native of arid regions in southern Africa. Parts of its impressive rootstock are growing above ground level and have a strongly fissured grayish brown bark which gave it the common name Elephant's Foot. Easily grown in any well drained, rather inorganic soil in full sun as long as plants are in leaf. During dormancy keep plants almost completely dry until new leaves appear.
Sow flat in any sandy, preferably inorganic soil, well drained soil at a minimum of some 20°C throughout the year. Keep seedlings only slightly moist. Carefully water in winter and keep at a minimum of some 12°C in full sun.
10 seeds per package.

You find more Dioscorea species in these categories: Edible Yam Root (Dioscorea spp.) and Winter Hardy Yam Root (Dioscorea spp.).

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Dioscorea elephantipes (syn. Testudinaria elephantipes)

120cm ø, 200 (400)cm, famous Elephant's Foot make a massive rootstock with a heavily fissured bark on top from which emerge annual to semiperennial twining stems with heart shaped, glossy leaves. Very attractive, yet rarely offered species for any well drained soil in full sun. Keep completely dry during dormancy after shedding of leaves. IX-XII.

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seed package2038 € 4,99

Dioscorea hemicrypta

100 (200)cm, ornamental caudex plant with semiperennial to perennial vines with small, heart shaped leaves and small, axillary yellowish flowers. For any rich, very well drained, preferably rocky soil in full sun throughout the year. In winter keep plants almost completely dry at a minimum of some 10°C.

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seed package 3831 € 4,99

Dioscorea mexicana (Mexican Elephant's Foot)

Dioscorea mexicana (Mexican Elephant's Foot)

2 (4)m, Mexican Elephant's Foot or Mexican Wild Yam is the Middle American counterpart to the South African Elephant's Foot (Dioscorea elephantipes) and makes annual to perennial vines with glossy leaves from a most ornamental tuber with deep fissures. Easily cultivated in any rich, well drained substrate in a sunny spot. In winter keep plants completely dry at some 12°C so that they go dormant and resprout in spring or (recommended) keep at a minimum of some 20°C with careful watering so that they remain evergreen. Plants require a climbing aid. The photo shows a dormant 12 cm ø tuber (some 15 years old). Concerning availability, we usually harvest seeds from Dioscorea mexicana around November.

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seed package8804 € 9,99

Dioscorea rupicola (Elephant's Foot)

70cm ø, 200 (400)cm, Elephant's Foot has a large tuberous rootstock and only a single climbing stem with deciduous, cordate (heart shaped) leaves. For any well drained soil in full sun. Keep completely dry during dormancy after shedding of leaves. IX-XII.

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seed package 2409 € 4,99

Dioscorea sylvatica Exclusive

50cm ø, 200 (400)cm, Elephant's Foot is a smaller South African cousin of Dioscorea elephantipes (see above). Has a broad rootstock and thin vines with ornamental heart shaped leaves and clusters of small white flowers on older specimens. Grows well in any well drained soil in full sun. Keep completely dry during dormancy after shedding of leaves. X-I.

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seed package 2410 € 4,99