Kingdom:
Phylum:
Angiosperms
Order:
Dioscoreales
Genus:
Species:
vilis
ID:
397202

Status:
valid

Authors:
Kunth

Source:
wcs

Year:
1850

Citation Micro:
Enum. Pl. 5: 400 (1850)

WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000396534

Common Names

  • Dioscorea vilis
  • Vile Yam
  • Vile Sandmat

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Description

Dioscorea vilis (also called Vile Yam, among many other common names) is a perennial herb native to tropical Africa. It has a climbing habit and can grow up to 3 m tall. It is found in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, from Senegal east to Ethiopia and south to Angola. It prefers moist, well-drained soils in partial shade.

Uses & Benefits

Dioscorea vilis is used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat fever, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. It is also used as a food source and for its ornamental value.

Flower, Seeds and Seedlings

Dioscorea vilis has small, yellow-green flowers that grow in clusters. The seeds are small, dark brown, and cone-shaped. The seedlings are small and dark green in color.

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Cultivation and Propagation

Dioscorea vilis 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 vilis

Dioscorea vilis is native to North America, where it is found in the eastern United States and Canada.

Dioscorea vilis FAQ

What is the scientific name of Dioscorea vilis?

Dioscorea vilis

What type of plant is Dioscorea vilis?

Yam

Where is Dioscorea vilis 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,

References