Yam family
Description
A family of monocotyledonous tropical plants, usually herbaceous climbers, with rhizomes or tubers (Dioscoreaceae 1).
The alternate leaves are commonly cordate. The flowers are borne in axillary inflorescences. The small green flowers are regular, inconspicuous, the perianth in 3 or 6 parts, with 6 stamens in two whorls, and an inferior ovary. The fruit is a capsule or berry.
There are 6 genera.
Use
The genus Dioscorea is of economic importance, many species producing tubers which are an important food crop in Southeast Asia, West Africa and Central and South America.
Described species
Dioscorea sp., yam
Dioscorea trifida, cush-cush yam, see Dioscorea sp.
Dioscorea rotundifolia, white Guinea yam, see Dioscorea sp.
Dioscorea cayenensis, yellow Guinea yam, see Dioscorea sp.
Dioscorea alata, greater yam, water yam, winged yam, Asiatic yam, see Dioscorea sp.
Dioscorea esculenta, lesser yam, see Dioscorea sp.
Dioscorea bulbifera, potato or aerial yam, see Dioscorea sp.
Dioscorea opposita, Chinese yam, see Dioscorea sp.
Dioscorea hispida, Asiatic bitter yam, see Dioscorea sp.