Status:
valid
Authors:
Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd.
Source:
wcs
Year:
1806
Citation Micro:
Sp. Pl., ed. 4. 4: 795 (1806)
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000393918
Common Names
- Dioscorea polygonoides
- Chinese Yam
- Air Potato
Description
Dioscorea polygonoides (also called Chinese Yam, among many other common names) is a perennial vine with a twining stem and heart-shaped leaves. It is native to China and is found in moist, shady forests.
Uses & Benefits
Dioscorea polygonoides is used as a food source and as a medicinal plant. It is also used as an ornamental plant in gardens.
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
Dioscorea polygonoides has small yellow-green flowers that are arranged in clusters. The flowers are followed by small, round, greenish-brown seeds. The seedlings have two opposite, heart-shaped cotyledons and long, narrow, pointed leaves.
Cultivation and Propagation
Dioscorea polygonoides can be propagated by seeds or cuttings. For seed propagation, sow the seeds in a well-drained potting mix and keep the soil moist. For cuttings, take a cutting from a mature plant and place it in a potting mix. Keep the soil moist and the cutting should root within a few weeks.
Where to Find Dioscorea polygonoides
Dioscorea polygonoides can be found in tropical regions of Africa, Asia, and South America.
Dioscorea polygonoides FAQ
What are the uses of Dioscorea polygonoides?
Dioscorea polygonoides is used in traditional medicine for its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antifungal properties.
What is the growth rate of Dioscorea polygonoides?
Dioscorea polygonoides is a slow-growing plant.
What is the ideal temperature for Dioscorea polygonoides?
Dioscorea polygonoides prefers temperatures between 18-24°C.
Species in the Dioscorea genus
Dioscorea abysmophila,
Dioscorea abyssinica,
Dioscorea acanthogene,
Dioscorea acerifolia,
Dioscorea acuminata,
Dioscorea adenantha,
Dioscorea aesculifolia,
Dioscorea aguilarii,
Dioscorea alata,
Dioscorea alatipes,
Dioscorea althaeoides,
Dioscorea amaranthoides,
Dioscorea amazonum,
Dioscorea amoena,
Dioscorea analalavensis,
Dioscorea ancachsensis,
Dioscorea andina,
Dioscorea andromedusae,
Dioscorea anomala,
Dioscorea antaly,
Dioscorea antucoana,
Dioscorea arachidna,
Dioscorea araucana,
Dioscorea arcuatinervis,
Dioscorea argyrogyna,
Dioscorea arifolia,
Dioscorea aristolochiifolia,
Dioscorea asclepiadea,
Dioscorea aspera,
Dioscorea aspersa,
Dioscorea asperula,
Dioscorea asteriscus,
Dioscorea atrescens,
Dioscorea auriculata,
Dioscorea bahiensis,
Dioscorea balcanica,
Dioscorea bancana,
Dioscorea banzhuana,
Dioscorea bartlettii,
Dioscorea basiclavicaulis,
Dioscorea baya,
Dioscorea beecheyi,
Dioscorea belophylla,
Dioscorea bemandry,
Dioscorea bemarivensis,
Dioscorea benthamii,
Dioscorea berenicea,
Dioscorea bermejensis,
Dioscorea bernoulliana,
Dioscorea besseriana,
Species in the Dioscoreaceae family
Dioscorea abysmophila,
Dioscorea abyssinica,
Dioscorea acanthogene,
Dioscorea acerifolia,
Dioscorea acuminata,
Dioscorea adenantha,
Dioscorea aesculifolia,
Dioscorea aguilarii,
Dioscorea alata,
Dioscorea alatipes,
Dioscorea althaeoides,
Dioscorea amaranthoides,
Dioscorea amazonum,
Dioscorea amoena,
Dioscorea analalavensis,
Dioscorea ancachsensis,
Dioscorea andina,
Dioscorea andromedusae,
Dioscorea anomala,
Dioscorea antaly,
Dioscorea antucoana,
Dioscorea arachidna,
Dioscorea araucana,
Dioscorea arcuatinervis,
Dioscorea argyrogyna,
Dioscorea arifolia,
Dioscorea aristolochiifolia,
Dioscorea asclepiadea,
Dioscorea aspera,
Dioscorea aspersa,
Dioscorea asperula,
Dioscorea asteriscus,
Dioscorea atrescens,
Dioscorea auriculata,
Dioscorea bahiensis,
Dioscorea balcanica,
Dioscorea bancana,
Dioscorea banzhuana,
Dioscorea bartlettii,
Dioscorea basiclavicaulis,
Dioscorea baya,
Dioscorea beecheyi,
Dioscorea belophylla,
Dioscorea bemandry,
Dioscorea bemarivensis,
Dioscorea benthamii,
Dioscorea berenicea,
Dioscorea bermejensis,
Dioscorea bernoulliana,
Dioscorea besseriana,