Status:
valid
Authors:
L.
Source:
wcs
Year:
1753
Citation Micro:
Sp. Pl. : 1033 (1753)
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000389411
Common Names
- Air Potato
- Air Yam
- Air Yam Vine
Synonyms
- Dioscorea anthropophagorum A.Chev. ex Jum. [unknown]
- Dioscorea bulbifera brachybotryum Y.Y.Hang & Y.F.Zhou [invalid]
Description
Dioscorea bulbifera (also called Air potato, among many other common names) is a perennial herb that grows up to 1 m tall. It is native to the tropical forests of Southeast Asia, where it is found in moist, shaded areas.
Uses & Benefits
Dioscorea bulbifera is used as an ornamental plant in gardens and landscapes. It is also used as a medicinal plant for treating various ailments.
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
The flowers of Dioscorea bulbifera are small, yellow-green, and have three petals. The seeds are small, black, and round. The seedlings are small and have a single, heart-shaped leaf.
Cultivation and Propagation
Dioscorea bulbifera is a perennial herbaceous plant that can be propagated by seed or division. It prefers well-drained soil and full sun. It is drought tolerant and can tolerate some shade. It can be propagated by dividing the rhizomes in spring or autumn. Seeds should be sown in spring in a light, well-drained soil and kept moist until germination occurs. Once established, it is relatively drought tolerant and requires little maintenance.
Where to Find Dioscorea bulbifera
Dioscorea bulbifera is native to Africa and can be found in the savannas of Kenya and Tanzania.
Dioscorea bulbifera FAQ
What is the scientific name of Dioscorea bulbifera?
Dioscorea bulbifera
What is the common name of Dioscorea bulbifera?
Air Potato
What is the natural habitat of Dioscorea bulbifera?
Damp woods, thickets, and stream banks
Species in the Dioscorea genus
Dioscorea abysmophila,
Dioscorea abyssinica,
Dioscorea acanthogene,
Dioscorea acerifolia,
Dioscorea acuminata,
Dioscorea adenantha,
Dioscorea aesculifolia,
Dioscorea aguilarii,
Dioscorea alata,
Dioscorea alatipes,
Dioscorea althaeoides,
Dioscorea amaranthoides,
Dioscorea amazonum,
Dioscorea amoena,
Dioscorea analalavensis,
Dioscorea ancachsensis,
Dioscorea andina,
Dioscorea andromedusae,
Dioscorea anomala,
Dioscorea antaly,
Dioscorea antucoana,
Dioscorea arachidna,
Dioscorea araucana,
Dioscorea arcuatinervis,
Dioscorea argyrogyna,
Dioscorea arifolia,
Dioscorea aristolochiifolia,
Dioscorea asclepiadea,
Dioscorea aspera,
Dioscorea aspersa,
Dioscorea asperula,
Dioscorea asteriscus,
Dioscorea atrescens,
Dioscorea auriculata,
Dioscorea bahiensis,
Dioscorea balcanica,
Dioscorea bancana,
Dioscorea banzhuana,
Dioscorea bartlettii,
Dioscorea basiclavicaulis,
Dioscorea baya,
Dioscorea beecheyi,
Dioscorea belophylla,
Dioscorea bemandry,
Dioscorea bemarivensis,
Dioscorea benthamii,
Dioscorea berenicea,
Dioscorea bermejensis,
Dioscorea bernoulliana,
Dioscorea besseriana,
Species in the Dioscoreaceae family
Dioscorea abysmophila,
Dioscorea abyssinica,
Dioscorea acanthogene,
Dioscorea acerifolia,
Dioscorea acuminata,
Dioscorea adenantha,
Dioscorea aesculifolia,
Dioscorea aguilarii,
Dioscorea alata,
Dioscorea alatipes,
Dioscorea althaeoides,
Dioscorea amaranthoides,
Dioscorea amazonum,
Dioscorea amoena,
Dioscorea analalavensis,
Dioscorea ancachsensis,
Dioscorea andina,
Dioscorea andromedusae,
Dioscorea anomala,
Dioscorea antaly,
Dioscorea antucoana,
Dioscorea arachidna,
Dioscorea araucana,
Dioscorea arcuatinervis,
Dioscorea argyrogyna,
Dioscorea arifolia,
Dioscorea aristolochiifolia,
Dioscorea asclepiadea,
Dioscorea aspera,
Dioscorea aspersa,
Dioscorea asperula,
Dioscorea asteriscus,
Dioscorea atrescens,
Dioscorea auriculata,
Dioscorea bahiensis,
Dioscorea balcanica,
Dioscorea bancana,
Dioscorea banzhuana,
Dioscorea bartlettii,
Dioscorea basiclavicaulis,
Dioscorea baya,
Dioscorea beecheyi,
Dioscorea belophylla,
Dioscorea bemandry,
Dioscorea bemarivensis,
Dioscorea benthamii,
Dioscorea berenicea,
Dioscorea bermejensis,
Dioscorea bernoulliana,
Dioscorea besseriana,