Dioscorea is a large genus in the Dioscoreaceae family from all over the world that includes many species with tubers including the Chinese yam.
Dioscorea discolor is from Ecuador and Brazil and has pretty leaves. Photos taken by Tarcísio Eduardo Raduenz.
Dioscorea sylvatica paniculata bears massive, reticulated storage organs on the surface of the soil - the ones illustrated here average 400mm in diameter. Vigorous, annual climbing stems can grow to as much as 4 or 5 metres in a season, however these can be trained quite comfortably around a wire hoop set in a pot when grown indoors. Male and female flowers are borne on separate plants. Photo and measurements by Rogan Roth
Return to the PBS wiki Photographs And Information page