Dioscorea

Dioscorea is a genus of over 600 species of flowering plants in the family Dioscoreaceae, native throughout the tropical and warm temperate regions of the world. The vast majority of the species are tropical, with only a few species extending into temperate climates. It is named after the ancient Greek physician and botanist Dioscorides.

Description

The plants are herbaceous vines, growing from tubers. They can grow up to 6 meters (20 ft) tall. The leaves are spirally arranged, heart-shaped or lanceolate. The flowers are individually inconspicuous, greenish-yellow, with six petals; male and female flowers are produced on separate plants (dioecious).

Uses

The best-known species is the yam (D. rotundata), an important food crop in Africa. Several other species are grown for their large edible tubers in Africa and Asia. Others are used for their medicinal value.

Species

There are over 600 species of Dioscorea. Some of the more notable species include:

• Dioscorea alata, the purple yam
• Dioscorea bulbifera, the air potato
• Dioscorea cayenensis, yellow Guinea yam
• Dioscorea dumetorum, bitter yam
• Dioscorea esculenta, lesser yam
• Dioscorea hispida, intoxicating yam
• Dioscorea japonica, East Asian yam
• Dioscorea mexicana, Mexican yam
• Dioscorea opposita, Chinese yam
• Dioscorea polystachya, Chinese yam
• Dioscorea rotundata, white yam
• Dioscorea trifida, cush-cush yam
• Dioscorea villosa, wild yam

See also

• Yam (vegetable)
• Diosgenin
• Dioscorides

References

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External links

• Dioscoreaceae in L. Watson and M.J. Dallwitz (1992 onwards). The families of flowering plants.

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