Elephant’s Foot (Dioscorea elephantipes)
This weird
and wonderful
caudiciform plant
has the most
unusual caudex
that includes
layers of corky
bark that resemble
an elephant’s
foot. Stems with
heart-shaped
leaves grow from
the caudex and
flowers appear
during the winter
months with male
and female flowers
occurring on
different plants.
Grow in a well-drained cactus mix and do not water directly on the caudex.
Mature, container-grown plants have a dormant period that occurs in the heat
of summer when the leaves dry up and the plant rests. Move the Elephant Foot
to a cool, dry location and do not water for 2-3 weeks. After the resting period,
return the plant to a sunny location and resume watering. This will initiate new
stems and leaf growth.