Sandikilangu
Dioscorea hamiltonii

Family: Dioscoreaceae

What it is like

A yam. It is a climbing plant and the stems wind clockwise. The tubers are deeply buried. It has bulbils in the axils of the leaves. The leaves can be opposite or alternate. The leaves are heart shaped and 10 cm long by 8 cm wide. The tubers can occur singly or in pairs. Flowers are on spikes with male and female flowers separately. Male spikes are zigzag and 40 cm long while female spikes are curved and 20 cm long. The fruit are capsules 2 cm wide. The seeds have brown wings.

There are about 650 species of Dioscorea.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Andamans, Asia, Bangladesh, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The tubers are boiled and eaten. The bulbils are also cooked and eaten.

Tubers are sold in local markets. They are also eaten raw by children.

Edible parts

Tubers, root, bulbils

How it is grown

It can be grown from the bulbils.

Tubers are harvested when the plant withers.

Its other names

Local names

Ayam, Bantarul, Chandana kilangu, Chuna alu, Ciu mai, Cu chup, Cu mai, Eghen raad, Gajir, Ganga, Genthi, Khoai mai, Man be, Mandingzha, Merem toa sanga, Moodavenni, Ruikanglang, Rui-kaulang, Sandikilangu, Serelake, Suta alu, Tha ganga, Thayungsa, Uwi alas

Synonyms

Dioscorea persimilis Prain & Burkill; Dioscorea persimilis var. pubescens C. T. Ting & M. C. Chang; Dioscorea raishaensis Hayata; Dioscorea hookeri Prain; ?