DIOSCOREA STRYDOMIANA

The caudex by M- Lötter, Sanbi.org. Paul Wilkin, 2011 DIOSCOREACEAE Western South Africa; Mpumalanga Mixed Medium Medium - Maximum 10 0 Centimetres 15 0 Centimetres Yellowish Green Seeds/Cuttings Strydom's Yam -

This non-climbing member of the Dioscoreaceae family was given this name by Paul Wilkin in 2011. It is found in the western part of South Africa, around Mpumalanga at 1.100 - 1.150 metres above sea level. It is growing in a well drained soil with some water and some to lots of sun. The caudex might extend to 100 centimetres in diameter and the entire plant, with natural exposed caudex can reach 150 centimetres or more. While the caudex might resemble Dioscorea elephantipes, and the leaves Dioscorea hemicrypta, the branches does not climb at all, but form a small bush. So fare, only two populations of about 200 individual plants have been found in the wild. Dioscorea is named after Pedianos Dioscorides, a Greek physician if the 1st century A.D. The species name after the late Gerhard Strydom, who along with Johan Hurter discovered the species.

The caudex by John Burrows. Female flower by John Burrows.