Dioscorea elephantipes ssp. brevicaule, often called Elephant’s Foot or Hottentot Bread, is a distinctive caudex plant. Its most striking feature is a large, woody base that often resembles a tortoise shell or an elephant’s foot. This succulent is a prized addition to many collections.
Understanding Brevicaule
The brevicaule plant develops an above-ground caudex, an enlarged, tuberous base that stores water. This caudex, often reaching 60-90 cm in diameter in its natural habitat, can grow to several meters in mature specimens, exhibiting a deeply fissured, armor-like surface. This unique structure allows the plant to survive prolonged periods of drought in its native environment. From the top of this caudex, seasonal twining vines emerge, growing rapidly during the active season.
These vines can extend several meters long, bearing heart-shaped leaves that are typically glossy and bright green. Its natural habitat is the arid regions of South Africa, thriving in dry, stony slopes, often under karroid bushes. This adaptation to extreme heat and dry conditions explains its water-storing caudex and summer-deciduous nature, where vines typically die back during the hot, dry season.
Brevicaule Care Guide
Light Needs
It thrives with ample sunlight, preferring bright, indirect light for most of the day. While the caudex itself can tolerate partial sun or shade, the vining foliage benefits from brighter conditions for optimal growth. A south-facing or west-facing window with filtered light is ideal. However, direct, intense sunlight can lead to sunburn on the delicate foliage, so some protection during peak sun hours is beneficial.
Watering
Watering brevicaule requires careful attention; overwatering is a common issue. As a desert-adapted succulent, it prefers infrequent watering and requires the soil to dry out completely between waterings. When watering, do so thoroughly, ensuring excess water drains freely from the pot to prevent waterlogging. During its dormant period, typically in summer, watering frequency should be significantly reduced or ceased entirely to prevent caudex rot.
Soil Requirements
A well-draining, gritty soil mix is essential for brevicaule health, as it is susceptible to rot in overly moist conditions. A blend consisting of at least 50% inorganic materials like pumice, perlite, or coarse sand, combined with sandy loam or very well-rotted compost, provides adequate drainage and aeration. This porous substrate allows for quick drainage, protecting the caudex from prolonged moisture.
Temperature and Humidity
It prefers warm, dry conditions, mirroring its native South African habitat. During its active growing season, maintaining temperatures between 65°F to 85°F (18°C to 29°C) is suitable. It tolerates low humidity, but average household humidity (around 40%) is generally acceptable, with slightly higher levels (50-60%) being ideal. Providing protection from cold drafts and sudden temperature fluctuations is important for its well-being.
Dormancy Cycle
Dormancy is a crucial aspect of brevicaule care, typically occurring during hot summer months when the vine naturally dies back. This period of rest is indicated by the vine yellowing and shriveling, signaling the plant is conserving energy. During dormancy, watering should be drastically reduced, often to just once a week or even less, to prevent root desiccation without promoting rot. As temperatures cool and new growth emerges, usually in autumn or winter, you can gradually resume regular watering to encourage the plant’s active growing phase.
Common Brevicaule Challenges
Caudex rot is the most frequent and severe challenge when growing brevicaule, almost always resulting from overwatering, especially during dormancy. The plant’s caudex, designed for water storage, cannot tolerate prolonged moisture around its base. If the caudex feels soft or mushy, it indicates rot, and immediate action is needed, which may involve removing affected tissue and allowing the plant to dry out completely. Ensuring consistently well-draining soil and strict adherence to watering schedules tailored to its growth cycle are the best preventative measures.
Another common concern is a lack of vine growth or general decline. This can stem from insufficient light during the growing season, incorrect watering, or issues with the dormancy cycle. If the plant fails to produce new vines during its expected growth period, re-evaluating light exposure and ensuring appropriate watering for the active season can help stimulate growth. Sometimes, a plant may choose to enter dormancy at an unexpected time, so observing the plant’s cues, such as vine yellowing, is more reliable than strictly following a calendar. Providing consistent care tailored to its current phase of growth will help maintain its vigor.