Description
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 plants are monoecious, that means the flowering sexes are found on separate plants. The stems grow in a climbing fashion. The leaves are heart-shaped. 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. Seed is produced in September and October.
Distribution
This gem is found growing in the Clanwilliam District of the Western Cape and the Graaf-Reinet, Willowmore and Uniondale Districts of the Eastern Cape . It is used to extreme heat (above 40¿C), but it can also take low temperatures (¿4¿C).
The plant appears to have a wide tolerance of growing habitats, growing in weathered rock, on dry, stony slopes, under the protection of karroid bushes. The plant's caudex (short, thick stem) can reach heights of 3 m in ideal conditions.
Dioscorea elephantipes will live for approx. 70 years in cultivation, if it is looked after. 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.
Sir William Hooker, one of the ex directors of the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew and historical botanical explorer, reported seeing one such specimen in the wild attain a height of 2.1 m (7 ft). The weight was estimated at 365 kg.
Derivation of name and historical aspects
Dioscorea is named after the Dioscorides a Greek physician; elephantipes in Latin refers to the elephant-like appearance on the outer covering of the bark.
Uses
It is believed the Khoisan used to bake the starchy, bread-like trunk which was used as a food source. Other members in the genus Dioscorea are used to extract steriodal saponins which are used to produce cortisone and and contraceptives. Many of the South African species have been over-harvested for testing purposes.
The beauty of Dioscorea elephantipes lies in its beautiful above-ground caudex. In some cases these caudexes can grow as much as 3 m in height.
Ecology
Pollination is done by bees and bumble bees. The plant is adapted to growing in areas with seasonal rainfall, by going dormant in the dry season. The above ground cordex is protected by elephantine bark while it rests.
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