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Dioscorea pyrifolia Kunth
| Family Name: | Dioscoreaceae |
| Synonyms: | Dioscorea diepenhorstiana, Dioscorea preangeriana |
| Common Name: | Akar Kemenyan Paya |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Climber |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | East Asia |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Least Concern (LC)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a perennial, climbing plant with slender stems up to 10 m long. There are covering of hairs present on vegetative shoots and inflorescences. |
|---|---|
| Roots | Tuberous. |
| Foliage | Leaves are oppositely arranged along the stems, leathery, ovate to cordate in shape, measuring 6 - 10 cm long, pubescent on the underside of leaves, and has petiole of 2 - 5 cm long. |
| Stems | Stem is 2.5 - 5 mm in diameter, woody and spiny towards the base, and terete (slender) on the upper stem. |
| Flowers | Inflorescence, with male and female flowers. Male spikes are 30 cm or longer while female spikes are only 10 cm long. |
| Fruit | Capsule, measuring 17 - 25 mm by 35 - 50 mm. Seeds are about 5 by 5 mm, and winged, measuring 20 - 22.5 mm by 19 - 22 mm. |
| Habitat | It is commonly found in the lowlands, among hedges and thickets. |
| Etymology | The genus Dioscorea is named after Dioscorides Pedanios of Anazarbeus, a Greek military physician for yams. The specific epithet pyrifolia means having leaves similar to those of pear. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Roots Medicinal: In Malaysia, the raw tubers are used in traditional medicine for swellings and bites. Timber & Products: The stems are used in Indonesia for making cords and furniture (from hard fibre). Others: The tuberous roots are said to be edible and gathered from the wild for consumption. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscape Uses | General, Trellis / Arbour / Pergola |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Propagation Method | Storage Organ |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Papery |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Ovate, Cordate) |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acuminate |
| Foliar Base | Rounded / Obtuse, Cordate, Sagittate |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Unisexual Flowers |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
|---|---|
| Inflorescence Type | Spike |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Fruit Type | Indehiscent Dry Fruit , Capsule |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 33019 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 7433 |
| 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. |
