Balkan Dioscorea

Family: Dioscoreaceae. Native to Montenegro and northern Albania. It is encountered rather rarely.

Hardy plant with climbing shoots and tuberously thickened rhizomes. Its above-ground part dies back for the winter, but every spring it produces two-meter stems adorned with beautiful glossy, heart-shaped dark green leaves. In July-August fragrant yellow flowers appear among them, gathered in pendent inflorescences about 7 cm long. They are followed by no less decorative fruits 2–3 cm in diameter. The shoots of this plant interestingly entwine shrubs. Requires humus-rich, well-drained soil and a warm, sunny site sheltered from winds.