Dioscorea esculenta

Dioscorea esculenta
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Monocots
Order: Dioscoreales
Family: Dioscoreaceae
Genus: Dioscorea
Species: D. esculenta
Binomial name
Dioscorea esculenta
L.

Dioscorea esculenta, commonly known as the Lesser Yam, is a yam species, but with a smaller corm than most other yams. It is closer in size to a potato or sweet potato. In Vietnam, it is called khoai từ or củ từ. It is used to make chè củ từ, also referred to as chè khoai từ. In Tagalog, it is known as tuge. It is cultivated in Kerala,goa, konkan parts of maharashtra India. In Malayalam, it is known as "Nana Kizhangu" or Cheruvalli Kizhangu" or Cheru Kizhangu". in goa in konkani its called khat khondghi, It is a climber which needs support and goes coiling around the support. The corm is edible.

Taxonomy

Belonging to the genus Dioscorea, Dioscorea esculenta describes the plants ability to produce edible roots, known as yams, also known as chinese yam, as it is mostly grown in Asia. Due to the fact that it is fast going to extinction, the species is known as hungry yam among agronomists.

Description

The plant's stems are round and thin, with big, black compound spines that are 2–4 cm long. The leaves are soft, heart-shaped, and 5–8 cm long and 6–8 cm wide.[1]

References

  1. ↑ Tanaka, Yoshitaka; Van Ke, Nguyen (2007). Edible Wild Plants of Vietnam: The Bountiful Garden. Thailand: Orchid Press. p. 74. ISBN 9745240893.

Media related to Dioscorea esculenta at Wikimedia Commons Data related to Dioscorea esculenta at Wikispecies


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