olifantsvoet, skilpadknol
ufudu, ingwevu, intane, lwehlathi
nakaa, usikolipati
Large, deciduous, perennial climber with twining stems and a massive, underground, corky tuber. Leaves simple, alternate, heart-shaped, 7 – 20 cm long. Male and female flowers on separate plants; small, yellowish-green, in spikes up to 14 cm (Nov – Apr). Fruits are yellow-green, 3-winged capsules with reddish brown edges, splitting to release winged seeds. Tuber protected by thick corky layer.
Insects:Not available.
Wildlife:Tuber protected from grazing by corky layer; habitat for soil organisms.
Soil:Not a nitrogen fixer.
Ecosystem Services:Soil stabilization, food source for traditional use.
Small, yellowish-green flowers (Nov – Apr) are insect-pollinated; winged seeds wind-dispersed.
Not available
Rub seeds to remove wing, sow in well-drained mix; germinates in 10 days.
Not available
Tuber used for diosgenin (steroid precursor), traditional medicine for contraception, pain, and as a food in famine (requires careful preparation due to toxicity).
