Status:
valid
Authors:
R.Knuth
Source:
wcs
Year:
1924
Citation Micro:
Pflanzenr. , IV, 43: 182 (1924)
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000392951
Common Names
- Dioscorea nutans
- Nodding Yam
- Nodding Wild Yam
Description
Dioscorea nutans (also called Nodding Dioscorea, among many other common names) is a perennial vine native to South America. It grows up to 10 feet (3 m) tall and has thick, fleshy leaves. It prefers warm, sunny locations and is drought tolerant.
Uses & Benefits
Dioscorea nutans is used as a medicinal plant to treat various ailments such as fever, cough, and colds. It is also used as a food source and for its fiber.
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
The flower of Dioscorea nutans is a small, yellow flower with five petals. The seed is a small, black, round seed. The seedlings are small, green, and have a single, long, slender stem.
Cultivation and Propagation
Dioscorea nutans is a small, evergreen shrub that grows up to 1 m tall. It has glossy, dark green leaves and small, white flowers that appear in late spring and early summer. It is best grown in full sun or partial shade in well-drained, acidic soil. Propagation is by seed or cuttings.
Where to Find Dioscorea nutans
Dioscorea nutans is found in the tropical rainforests of Central and South America.
Dioscorea nutans FAQ
What is the scientific name of Dioscorea nutans?
Dioscorea nutans
What is the common name of Dioscorea nutans?
Nodding Yam
Where is Dioscorea nutans native to?
Central and South America
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,