Dioscorea Elephantipes

Dioscorea elephantipes, the Tortoise Plant or Elephant's Foot, is native to the Karoo region of South Africa. Its defining characteristic is the exposed caudex covered in geometric, polygonal ridges resembling tortoise shell segments, wrapped in corky bark. This is a winter-growing species: slender twining stems bearing heart-shaped leaves emerge in autumn, grow through winter, then die back completely in summer dormancy. Growth is very slow—a large, mature caudex represents decades of development. During the growing season (autumn through spring), bright indirect to direct light and moderate watering are appropriate. In summer, the plant should be kept completely dry or nearly so. Minimum temperature is around 5–10°C; frost must be avoided. The geometrically beautiful caudex has made it one of the most beloved caudex plants worldwide, known in Japan simply as kikkouryuu (tortoise dragon).

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