Dioscorea elephantipes
elephant's foot
A deciduous climbing perennial growing from a large, partly exposed, rugged woody tuber, with heart-shaped blue-green leaves and racemes of tiny yellow flowers
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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Blue Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green Yellow | Blue Green | ||
| Autumn | Blue Green | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H1CBotanical details
- Family
- Dioscoreaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Climbing
- Potentially harmful
- TOXIC if eaten, skin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets (dogs): TOXIC if eaten, skin irritant - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
- Genus
Dioscorea can be evergreen or deciduous, twining perennials with tuberous roots and simple or palmate leaves and small bell-shaped greenish or yellow flowers in racemes from the leaf axils
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- South Africa
How to grow
Cultivation
Under glass grow in gritty, very well-draining potting compost mulched with grit in full light. Water moderately when in growth and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser every two or three weeks; keep completely dry in winter. Suitable for a desert garden
Propagation
Propagate by seed at 19 to 24°C in spring or take softwood cuttings as young shoots arise from the tuber in spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Patio and container plants
Pruning
Pruning group 11 in spring
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids and froghoppers
Diseases
Generally disease-free
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