Dioscorea spicata

Family: Dioscoreaceae

What it is like

A yam. It has a twining vine. The stem can be 7 m long and is very slender. The tubers are 60-100 cm long by 6 cm wide. The leaves are opposite and 10 cm long by 5 cm wide. They vary in shape and are oval or sword shaped. The male flowers are in clusters with spikes 25 cm long in the axils of leaves. The female flower spikes occur singly and are drooping and 15-30 cm long.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in semi-evergreen forests.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Himalayas, India, Northeastern India, Sri Lanka (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The tubers are boiled or steamed and eaten.

Edible parts

Roots, tubers

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Arathikizhzngu, Athikizhangu, Eghen ngenchi, Gonala, Kavalakizhzngu

Synonyms

Dioscorea nummularia var. glauca Prain & Burkill; Dioscorea spicata var. anamallayana Prain & Burkill; Dioscorea spicata var. parvifolia Prain & BUrkill;