TAMUS COMMUNIS

Description

This unusual, and most attractive British native has an unusual growth habit in that it climbs through the hedgerow like a vine, vigorously weaving its beady tendrils clad in heart-shaped leaves indiscriminately. Uncommon in the North of England and very rare in Scotland, it belongs to the mainly tropical yam family, Dioscoreaceae. It is dioecious, with separate male and female plants, the flowers clusters being greenish-yellow, 3-6 mm diameter, with six petals, with the male flowers produced in slender 5-10 cm racemes, the fruit being a large juicy bright red berry. Its fairly large tuber, like the rest of the plant, is poisonous, so do not consume any part of this plant!

Sowing Advice

Sow seeds at any time onto a good soil-based compost covering seeds with fine grit or compost to approximately their own depth. We recommend germinating at 15 to 20 degrees C. Germination may be very slow, perhaps 2-3 months, or sometimes much longer, and these seeds may sometimes wait for spring before emerging. Grow on individual seedlings in 3 inch pots before finally planting with climbing support in a well-drained spot or very large pot.

Key Facts