Dioscorea Caucasica

Dioscorea caucasica is a rare herbaceous climber from the humid Colchic forests of the western Caucasus. Long twining stems rise each spring from a creeping underground rhizome and carry handsome heart-shaped leaves marked by nine to thirteen strong parallel veins. Small greenish to golden flowers are followed by papery, three-winged capsules. The vine brings an unusual tropical texture to a cool shaded garden and can be trained through an open shrub or support. It is a protected and historically exploited species in parts of its range, so cultivated seed has particular conservation value.