Elephant’s foot, Hottentot bread
Dioscorea elephantipes

Family: Dioscoreaceae

What it is like

A yam. A vine with a succulent growth near ground level. This can grow 1 m long and 1 m high. It is above ground. It has angular lumps. It is hard and corky. The stems twine to the left. The leaves are heart shaped. The flowers are yellowish-green. The male flowers are in erect flowering stalks and the female flowers are nodding and spiny.

There are about 650 species of Dioscorea.

Where it is found

It is a warm temperate to subtropical plant. It cannot tolerate frost. It grows naturally on dry rocky slopes in South Africa. It is best in light, well-drained soils. It needs an open, sunny position. In South Africa it grows between 250-1,250 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places. Hobart Botanical Gardens hot house. It suits hardiness zones 9-11.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Angola, Botswana, Central Africa, Hawaii, Namibia, Pacific, Slovenia, South Africa (country/location of origin), Southern Africa, Tasmania, USA

How it is used for food

The tubers have been cooked and eaten in times of famine by Hottentots in South Africa. It is processed for starch.

It is a famine food. It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Tuber, root

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. They can also be grown by cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Nakaa, Olifantsvoet, Razbrazdana dioskoreja

Synonyms

Tamus elephantipes L'Her.; Testudinaria elephantipes Salisb.;