Cyphostemma elephantopus SEEDS

Cyphostemma elephantopus seeds grow into a climbing caudiciform geophyte endemic to the desert and dry shrubland biome of Madagascar not Zimbabwe or southern Africa as sometimes erroneously cited. This Malagasy member of Vitaceae develops a swollen, water-storing caudex from which climbing or scrambling stems arise, bearing distinctively large leaves the epithet elephantopus means ‘elephant-foot’, referring either to the massive caudex base or the large, elephant-foot-like leaf shape. Madagascar hosts approximately 25 Cyphostemma species, several of which have evolved unusual succulent and caudiciform habits quite unlike the typical climbing form of the family. Fully deciduous in the dry season.

Full sun, very sharp drainage and a warm, dry rest when leafless replicate the conditions of its Malagasy dry shrubland habitat.

• Swollen caudex with elephant-foot-like character the character behind the epithet
• Climbing or scrambling stems; large leaves; fully deciduous in dry season
• Madagascar desert and dry shrubland biome; endemic
• One of Madagascar’s remarkable caudiciform Vitaceae; about 25 Cyphostemma endemic to the island
• Full sun, very sharp drainage; warm dry rest

Cyphostemma elephantopus is a genuinely rare Malagasy endemic caudiciform a member of the extraordinary radiation of Cyphostemma on Madagascar that has produced some of the most unusual and sought-after plants in the grape family.

IMPORTANT: Pictures show the adult plant, which is not for sale. The offer is only for seeds.