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Dioscorea alata L.
| Family Name: | Dioscoreaceae |
| Common Name: | Water Yam, White Yam, Winged Yam, Greater Yam |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Climber, Vine & Liana |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | South-East Asia |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | A herbaceous climber, it has a twining growth form and can climb up to 20m in height. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | The leaves are sagittate in shape with an entire leaf margin. |
| Stems | The stems are broadly winged and are 4-angled. The stems produce bubils, up to 4cm in width. |
| Flowers | The plant is dioecious, having male and female flowers on separate plants. The male flowers are borne on panicles while the female flowers are borne on spikes. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts (Edible Storage Organs) Food (Fruit & Vegetable) |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Form |
|---|---|
| Plant & Rootzone Preference - Tolerance | Acidic (low pH) Soils |
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Trellis / Arbour / Pergola |
| Thematic Landscaping | Economic Garden |
| Usage Hazard - Cons | Invasive / Potentially Invasive |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Propagation Method | Storage Organ (Tuberous Root) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality 1 | Unisexual Flowers |
|---|
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 31656 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 6055 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
