Bigfoot
Synonym:
Family: Cucurbitaceae
 Gerrardanthus macrorhiza from Art Pacheco's collection |
Recommended Temperature Zone: USDA: 9b-11 Frost Tolerance: Keep above 40° F (4° C) to avoid die back of the vine, the root can take some limited frost for a short period of time Sun Exposure: Bright shade Origin: Southern Africa Growth Habits: Deciduous caudiciform vine, the caudex can supposedly exceed 40 inches in diameter (1 m) Watering Needs: Abundant water in summer Propagation: Seeds |
The bigfoot (Gerrardanthus macrorhiza) is a plant with a massive rounded tuberous root resembling a granite rock. The name macrorhiza comes from the Greek for 'big root', it is sometimes seen as 'macrorhizus'. It is a vine with ivy like leaves. Young plants do great in a hanging basket. They are relatively easy to grow, and develop rapidly a nice caudex, provided that they get abundant water and fertilizer in summer, and a pot large enough.
Blooming Habits:
The Bigfoot has small, dark yellow orchid-like flowers. There are male and female plants. If a female flowers is fecundated, it is followed by a flask-shaped brownish dry capsule dehiscing at the top.
Fruiting Habits:
Check for Field Collection numbers at Ralph Martin's Site
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