Dioscorea alata
Purple yam
Dioscorea alata, commonly known as water yam, is a versatile medicinal plant valued for its diverse therapeutic properties. Rich in bioactive compounds, it is traditionally used to manage diabetes, reduce inflammation, and support digestive health. This nutrient-dense tuber plays a vital role in both holistic nutrition and herbal medicine.
- Scientific name: Dioscorea alata
- Family: Dioscoreaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Dioscoreales, falling into the family Dioscoreaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Dioscorea, specifically as the species Dioscorea alata.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Dioscoreales | WCVP |
| Family | Dioscoreaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Dioscorea | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Dioscorea alata, is known by various regional names across different languages and cultures. In Simplified Chinese (zh-hans), it is referred to as 参薯, while in both Traditional Chinese (zh-hant) and the Cantonese dialect of Hong Kong (zh-hk), it is commonly called 香芋. In Esperanto (eo), it is known as purpura ignamo, and in Javanese (jv), it is identified as Uwí.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 参薯 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 香芋 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 香芋 | Wikidata |
| eo | purpura ignamo | Wikidata |
| jv | Uwi | Wikidata |
| pl | pochrzyn skrzydlaty | Wikidata |
| ig | Àbànà | Wikidata |
| to | ʻUfi | Wikidata |
| id | Uwi | Wikidata |
| ja | ダイジョ | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant, known as Dioscorea alata, exhibits a specific geographical distribution within the West Tropical Africa region. Its presence has been documented across several distinct nations in this part of the continent. Specifically, it can be found growing in the territories of Benin and Burkina. The species is also widely distributed throughout Guinea and Guinea-Bissau. Finally, the plant's range extends into the country of Mali.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Burkina | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea-Bissau | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Mali | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Senegal | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Togo | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Burundi | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Central African Republic | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Cameroon | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Dioscorea alata, commonly known as water yam, is primarily cultivated for its nutrient-rich and starchy tuber. This underground storage organ serves as the most significant medicinal and dietary part of the plant, containing various bioactive compounds that contribute to its therapeutic potential. While the vines and leaves are part of the plant's structure, it is the fleshy tuber that is harvested and utilized for its medicinal properties and nutritional value.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| tuber | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Dioscorea alata has 20 reported phytochemicals identified across 20 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 4-hydroxy benzoic acid, Gallic acid, RS2, RS3, amylose.
- Total chemicals
- 20
- Scientific sources
- 20
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| 4-hydroxy benzoic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Gallic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| RS2 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| RS3 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| amylose | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anthocyanin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anthocyanins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ash | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cinnamyl cinnamate | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cyanidin-3-O-sophoroside | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Dioscorea alata has 4 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antihypertensive, Antioxidant, Lectin, Osteogenic.
- Total activities
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antihypertensive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Lectin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Osteogenic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Dioscorea alata has 8 reported medicinal uses identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancers, antihypertensive, cardiovascular diseases, hemorrhoids, hypertension.
- Total uses
- 8
- Scientific sources
- 9
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cancers | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antihypertensive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cardiovascular diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hemorrhoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hypertension | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| immune diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| menopause | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| osteoporosis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |