Definition

1. Noun:
   • A South African climbing plant: "hottentot bread vine" refers to a specific species of vine native to South Africa, scientifically known as Dioscorea elephantipes. It is characterized by a large, woody, partially underground storage organ (a caudex) that resembles a piece of bread or a tortoise shell, with deeply cracked bark.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The hottentot bread vine is prized by succulent collectors for its unique, textured caudex.
  • In its native habitat, the hottentot bread vine climbs using its slender, annual stems.

Advanced Usage

• Botanical context: The term is used specifically in botany and horticulture to identify this particular species. It is often discussed in the context of drought-tolerant, caudiciform plants.
  • Cultivating a hottentot bread vine requires well-draining soil and a dry winter rest period.

Variants and Related Words

• Hottentot bread: A common shorter name for the same plant, referring to the appearance of its large, tuberous rootstock.
• Elephant's foot: Another common name for , describing the shape of its caudex.
• Tortoise plant: A further common name, alluding to the pattern of its bark which resembles a tortoise shell.

Synonyms

• Dioscorea elephantipes: The scientific, botanical name.
• Caudiciform vine: A descriptive term for a vine with a swollen, water-storing base.

Notes on the Term

• The term "Hottentot" is an outdated and now considered offensive exonym for the Khoekhoe people. In modern botanical and horticultural contexts, the use of the alternative common names (elephant's foot, tortoise plant) is increasingly preferred to avoid the derogatory term. The definition and explanation here are provided for accurate lexical reference to the established plant name.

Noun

1. South African vine having a massive rootstock covered with deeply fissured bark