Raphionacme procumbens (Without leaves during the winter rest)
These are charming plants, cool to those who like to collect them... odd to others. Very pricey, though, as they are slow growing.

The Raphionacme has a swollen, water-storing stem (caudex) and produce green leaves and shoots during the periods that are favorable for growth, and live consuming the water and food stored in the caudex during long dry spells.

Scientific name:  Raphionacme procumbens Friedrich Richard Rudolf Schlechter 1895

Origin:  Southern Africa

Etymology: The name Raphionacme is derived from the Greek words 'rhaphys', beet-root, and 'akme', sharpness, presumably describing the taste of the tuberous roots.

• Raphionacme elata

Description: Small growing caudiciform perennial herb producing trailing shoots.
Caudex (Tuber): Big mostly spherical ± flattened, turnip shaped, almost always unbranched, smooth, above-ground.
Stems: The stems (vines) are deciduous, semi-erect, shrubby or partially climbing up to 75 centimetres (usually less), generally downy throughout.
Leaves: In well-spaced pairs; stalks ± 5 mm long, blades more or less lance-shaped, widest about middle, tapering equally to both ends, pointed, up to 10 cm long X 3 cm wide, usually smaller.
Flowers: Inflorescences terminal, sometimes also between upper leaf-axils, on short stout stalk, densely many-flowered. The flowers are deciduous, pale green star-shaped with a purple centre. Corolla lobes, about 5 mm long, , densely hairy below, hairless above.
Blooming season: Summer.
Fruit: Fruit-halves slender, up to 15 cm long x 5 mm diam, tapering to long point, often only one half developing.

Cultivation: In cultivation the plants are usually grown in semi shade, with the tubers wholly or (preferably) partially exposed to prevent scorching and rotting of the roots. This plant can take a good deal of water during active growth and should be watered only when not dormant.  Keep dryish in winter. It should be overwintered in the greenhouse at temperatures over 12°C (avoid letting temperatures drop lower than 5° C).  Use a very draining but rich soil.  An error in cultivation may produce unsightly holes in the tuber.

Reproduction: Can be reproduced both by cuttings and seeds.