Dioscorea hemicrypta leaves and fruit remains

Fruit capsules are only seen on female Dioscorea hemicrypta plants like this one, the species being dioecious, i.e. male and female flowers grow on different plants. These pale green capsules are more three-winged than three-angled. They may dry out but last on the plant for a long time, displaying increasing wear and tear.

The small, mustard-coloured flower perianths of D. hemicrypta have six segments in two whorls with tips that curve outwards. The male flower has six stamens, the female one has an inferior ovary comprised of three locules. Flowering happens from midsummer to mid-autumn.

The alternate leaves are pale green and variable in shape, often ovate with notched tips and folding in along their midribs (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2010; Bond and Goldblatt, 1984).