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Dioscorea strydomiana

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Photo by
John Burrows
.


M
ale flower by John Burrows.


The caudex by M- Lötter, Sanbi.org.

Author:  Paul Wilkin, 2011
Family:  DIOSCOREACEAE
Origin:  Western South Africa; Mpumalanga
Soil:  Mixed
Water:  Medium
Sun:  Medium - Maximum
Thickness:  100 Centimetres
Height:  150 Centimetres
Flower:  Yellowish Green
Propagate:  Seeds/Cuttings
Names:  Strydom's Yam
Synonyms:  -

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
.