Dioscorea elephantipes #2

Dioscorea elephantipes, a member of the yam family native to South Africa, is a living sculpture. It forms a large above-ground tuber covered in woody bark, with artistic intricate fissures and layered ridges. Each plant is distinct, with its own unique pattern of fissures.

I have been breeding and raising these plants from seed for about 20+ years now. My plants are hybrids, bred to have beautiful forms and genetic diversity. One of the grandparents in this lineage is Dioscorea sylvatica, another South African species known for its more conical-shaped tuber. The plants I am offering for sale are technically back-crosses, made by crossing a pure elephantipes plant to an elephantipes x sylvatica hybrid.

These plants are about 7 years old. This plant is about 5.5 inches in diameter. Plants will be shipped bare root but can be picked up in the California SF Bay Area potted. 

Cultivation guidelines: These plants are easy but have special requirements. They are winter growers. In my experience, they begin to grow at the end of summer, typically in August. The vines will continue growing throughout the fall and winter and start dying back in spring, potentially remaining leafless for 4 to 6 months. During this dormant period, keep them shaded and water them sparingly (give a splash of water about once a month). Increase watering once you notice new vine growth. Once they start growing they can take a fair bit of water. Plant them in a well-draining medium—my choice is a high-pumice mix—and use large pots to encourage robust growth.