Dioscorea orbiculata
Family: Dioscoreaceae
What it is like
A yam. The stems have a few thorns at the base. It twines to the right. The vines can be 10 m long. They are slightly hairy. Plants produce several tubers. They are on stalks 2 m long. The flesh is white. They do not have bulbils. The leaves are simple and usually opposite. The leaf stalk is 10 cm long. The leaf blade is rounded and 18 cm long by 14 cm wide. It tapers to a long tip. Male flowers occur as 1-6 together. They are on branches 70 cm long. Female flowers occur singly and are 15 cm long. The capsule has wings.
There are about 650 species of Dioscorea.
Where it is found
A tropical plant.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Thailand
How it is used for food
The tubers are boiled well then eaten.
It is a famine food. It is significant in Peninsula Thailand.
Edible parts
Tubers, root
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Akar kakop, Eghen yeb, Hubi akob, Hubi garam, Janggut kelonak, Man-tayong, Takob, Thaphu-rhemin, Thapurhemin, Ubi gara