DIOSCOREACEAE

This plant originates from an area stretching from Mexico to northern Colombia. It is a caudex-forming plant that closely resembles the D. elephantias from southern Africa, but is actually from the New World. It also differs in the leaf shape, which is larger and more heart-shaped. When the plant is still young, the caudex is usually buried below the surface. As the plant grows larger and older, it will peek above the ground, revealing its beautiful architecture. Both in the wild and in cultivation, the caudex grows faster when it is underground. Therefore, it is up to you to decide when to repot it with the caudex visible above the soil line.

Full sun, water generously during the growing season when the caudex produces long, leafy tendrils. Once the days get shorter and colder in autumn, allow it to dry out completely, or stop watering completely in winter, to prevent rot. The stems and leaves will wilt and drop; prune them when they become truly unsightly. When the plant produces tendrils again in spring, you can resume watering.