Where it grows
Dioscorea sylvatica is widespread throughout South Africa and also occurs in other southern African countries.
Special features
Dioscorea sylvatica is one of the well known ‘elephant’s foot’ plants. It is similar to Dioscorea elephantipes, but its caudiciform stem is more flattened in appearance.
Like most Dioscorea, this species is dioecious, which means that there are separate male and female plants. Both are needed to pollinate and produce seed. It is also deciduous, and will lose its leaves in winter.
Care Guide
Dioscorea sylvatica is not a fussy plant, unless it is overwatered. It prefers a lightly shaded location in the greenhouse. Avoid keeping the caudex in sun. This ‘elephant’s foot plant’ requires a very well-draining soil mixture with plenty of gritty components. A medium with akadama and pumice is preferred. Water well during the warmer months, once it has grown its first leaves, but keep completely dry in winter when it does not have leaves. Let the plant tell you when to water it: Water when it has leaves, keep it dry when it does not have leaves. This species is extremely prone to rot if it is watered when it is dormant.
Growing season
Spring and summer.
Propagation
It is not possible to propagate Dioscorea sylvatica from cuttings. The only method to propagate this species is by sowing seed.