Description
Dioscorea sylvatica is a hardy, deciduous, slender, climbing plant bearing beautiful, heart-shaped, pale-green leaves.It forms a huge rootstock that looks like pieces of weathered wood.Each year the delicate, twining, slender stems appear.
Both male and female flowers are borne from November to February on separate plants.The yellowish-green male flowers are small, while the female flowers are carried in pendulous spikes edged in reddish brown.
This is an important medicinal plant and is thus threatened by exploitation.If exposed the large woody rootstock makes a decorative container or feature plant.
Grows in semi-shade and shade.
Size: Up to 5m
Distribution
Limpopo, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu Natal, Free State, Northern Cape