Dioscorea sp.

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Yam (Dioscorea spp.), is widely cultivated in tropical regions and serves as food in Central and South America, in Africa, Asia and in the Pacific Islands. The Dioscorea genus contains more than 600 species, 14 of which have edible tubers.

Species:

Dioscorea alata

Dioscorea bulbifera

Dioscorea caucasica -Caucasus Yam Root

Dioscorea dodecaneura

Dioscorea elephantipes

Dioscorea hemicrypta - ornamental caudex plant with semiperennial to perennial vines with small, heart shaped leaves and small, axillary yellowish flowers.

Dioscorea mexicana

Dioscorea polystachya

Dioscorea rotundata, D.cavensis, D. esculenta -Came Blanco, Nyame, Yam. The most popular yam in West Africa.

Dioscorea rupicola

Dioscorea sylvatica (Testudinaria sylvatica) - caudex plant from South Africa, related to Dioscorea elephantipes.

Similar plants:

• Dioscorea alata (Purple Yam, Winged Yam)
• Dioscorea bulbifera (Air Potato)
• Dioscorea dodecaneura, Dioscorea discolor (Yam)
• Dioscorea elephantipes, Dioscorea macrostachya, Dioscorea mexicana, Testudinaria elephantipes (Elephant foot, Turtle shell, Hottentot-Bread)
• Dioscorea polystachya, Dioscorea batatas (Chinese Yam, Cinnamon-vine)