Dioscorea zingiberensis

Family: Dioscoreaceae

What it is like

A yam. It is a climbing vine. The stems twine to the left. The leaves are alternate and simple. The leaves are an oval or triangle shape and usually have enlarged lobes at the base. The leaves are 5-10 cm long by 4-9 cm wide. The male flower spikes can occur singly or as 2 or 3 together. These are 5-10 cm long. The female spikes are 8 cm long. The fruit are capsules on long stalks.

Diosgenin is used for making steroid hormones.

Where it is found

It is a tropical and subtropical plant. It grows between 100-1,800 m above sea level. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, China

How it is used for food

Caution: It contains the drug diosgenin.

Edible parts

Caution:

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Dioscorea henryi Uline ex Diels [Invalid];