Status:
valid
Authors:
L.
Source:
wcs
Year:
1753
Citation Micro:
Sp. Pl. : 1033 (1753)
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000396542
Common Names
- Dioscorea villosa
- Wild Yam
- Hairy Yam
Synonyms
- Dioscorea quinata J.F.Gmel. [unknown]
- Dioscorea villosa villosa [unknown]
- Dioscorea villosa villosa [unknown]
- Dioscorea villosa glabrifolia (Bartlett) W.Stone [unknown]
Description
Dioscorea villosa (also called Wild Yam, among many other common names) is a perennial vine native to North America. It has a twining habit and can reach up to 10 meters in height. It has large, heart-shaped leaves and yellow-green flowers. It prefers moist, well-drained soils and is found in temperate and subtropical forests.
Uses & Benefits
Dioscorea villosa is used as an ornamental plant in gardens and as a ground cover. It is also used as a medicinal plant to treat various ailments.
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
Dioscorea villosa has small, white flowers that are arranged in clusters. The seeds are small and black, and the seedlings are small and green.
Cultivation and Propagation
Dioscorea villosa can be propagated by seed or division. Seeds should be sown in spring in a warm, sunny spot. Division can be done in spring or autumn. Plants should be spaced about 30cm apart.
Where to Find Dioscorea villosa
Dioscorea villosa is native to North America, where it is found in the eastern United States and Canada.
Dioscorea villosa FAQ
What is the scientific name of Dioscorea villosa?
Dioscorea villosa
What type of plant is Dioscorea villosa?
Yam
Where is Dioscorea villosa native to?
Tropical Asia
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,