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Dioscorea alata L.
Family Name: | Dioscoreaceae |
Common Name: | Water Yam, White Yam, Winged Yam, Greater Yam |
Name
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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
Images |
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. |