Status:
valid
Authors:
Prain & Burkill
Source:
wcs
Year:
1908
Citation Micro:
J. Proc. Asiat. Soc. Bengal 4: 452 (1908)
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000392384
Common Names
- Black-fruited Yam
- Dioscorea melanophyma
Description
Dioscorea melanophyma (also called black-fruited yam, among many other common names) is a perennial climbing vine native to East Asia. It has long, slender stems with heart-shaped leaves and small, white flowers. It grows in moist, shady habitats such as forests and riverbanks.
Uses & Benefits
Dioscorea melanophyma is used in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of fever, malaria, and dysentery. It is also used as a food source in some parts of Asia.
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
Dioscorea melanophyma has small, yellow flowers with five petals. The seeds are small, black and round. The seedlings are small, with oval-shaped leaves and a single stem.
Cultivation and Propagation
Dioscorea melanophyma is a perennial herbaceous vine that can be propagated from seed or cuttings. It prefers full sun and moist, well-drained soil. It can be grown in containers or in the ground. It is best to start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost. Cuttings can be taken in spring or summer and rooted in a moist medium. Once established, it is drought tolerant and requires minimal maintenance.
Where to Find Dioscorea melanophyma
Dioscorea melanophyma can be found in the mountains of Yunnan, China.
Dioscorea melanophyma FAQ
What is the scientific name of Dioscorea melanophyma?
Dioscorea melanophyma
What is the common name of Dioscorea melanophyma?
Black-fruited Yam
What is the natural habitat of Dioscorea melanophyma?
Tropical moist forests
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,