Japan yam, Uchiwa yam
Dioscorea nipponica
Family: Dioscoreaceae
What it is like
A yam. It is a herb or vine. It keeps growing from year to year. The rhizome is horizontal and 1.5 cm thick. The stem twines to the left. It is 5 m long. The leaves are alternate and simple.
It is used in medicine against obesity. It contains steroids.
Where it is found
It is a warm temperate plant. In China it grows in mixed forests between 100-1,800 m above sea level.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Canada, China, Japan, Korea, North America, Russia
How it is used for food
Only young aerial tubers are used and they should only be eaten in small quantities.
Edible parts
Caution