Matelea cyclophylla

[williamn]

This is my first 'proper' post since joining so be gentle!

I've seen some seeds advertised for this rather unusual looking plant and am tempted. Does anyone know anything about it, how it easy it would be to raise, particularly in the house?

[MatDz]

I have been looking at it as well. Seems to be very similar in cultivation to e.g. Dioscorea elephantipes, so not that difficult to keep happy at home. The only problem would be the smell of flowers - unless you like the smell of carrion of course

Maybe D. elephantipes would be easier to find and see if you can keep them happy?

Some more info e.g. here: http://www.llifle.com/Encyclopedia/SUCC ... yclophylla

[Herts Mike]

Lovely plant. I wouldn't mind one!

[Nick_G]

I grew it many years ago. If my memory serves me correctly it was easy to grow and the flowers didn't smell. I probably kept it too cold one winter because I don't have it any more.

[fatich]

Giromagi has plants
https://www.giromagi.com/prodotto.asp?l ... ylla_31048

[ralphrmartin]

I too have grown it in the past (although not from seed). It does not like cold, and needs at least 15C in winter, so don't e.g. leave it behind a curtain on a windowsill, where the cold can get trapped. It also needs to be dry in winter.

(It's cultivation is very different to Dioscorea elelphantipes which grows in winter, and can readily take cold down to pretty close to freezing in my experience; indeed I've had the vine against glass with frost on the inside).

[MatDz]

[...] (It's cultivation is very different to Dioscorea elelphantipes which grows in winter, and can readily take cold down to pretty close to freezing in my experience; indeed I've had the vine against glass with frost on the inside).

I was mainly referring to the watering dictated by growing leaves/wines, I assume this is true here as well?

[topsy]

Hi,

Tony and I have one of these for the ssecond time as the first one we obviously kept too cold in the winter a couple of years ago. Currently it is growing indoors on a west facing window sill above a radiator and loving it. It has grown a good length vine during the summer which currently has 5 maroon coloured flowers open with more to come, and they do not have a bad aroma, in fact I cannot detect any smell; it has a very spongy/corky caudex, heart-shaped leaves which wilt if it does not get enough water and needs feeding regularly.

Pity we can't get any seed on it, but so far no success.

We bought it at ELK last year.

Would definitely recommend this as a houseplant during the winter.

Suzanne

[Mal L]

For anyone not familiar with this species here are a couple of photos from my plant a few weeks ago. With regards to scent there is no need to worry, as it is imperceptible at a distance and only just apparent if you almost stick the flower up your nose!

Matalea cyclophila2.jpg (1011.13 KiB) Viewed 1497 times

[williamn]

Thanks for the pics - I can feel a lockdown purchase coming on!