Taxon

Dioscorea elephantipes

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Common name: Olifantspoot, Olifantsvoet, Elephant's foot, Hottentots' bread, Turtle back, t'naka
Family: Dioscoreaceae (Yam)
Distribution: Eastern Cape, Western Cape
Habitat: Dry rocky slopes
National red list: Least Concern
Life form: Geophyte (bulb, corm or tuber - seasonally dormant)
Comments: This is a slow-growing species endemic to South Africa. Its tuber is exposed above-ground and has deep fissures which resemble an elephant's foot. It is believed that the Khoisan used the tuber as a foodsource. Although this species is still widespread and common, its numbers are declining in some areas due to harvesting for medicinal purposes.
Links: iNaturalist.org • Kew Plants of the World Online • Red List of South African Plants • SANBI PlantZAfrica • Plants of the World Online

Locations

Cluster Area Area
Individual Individual