Dioscorea bulbifera
Air potato
Dioscorea bulbifera, commonly known as the air potato, is a perennial climbing vine native to tropical regions. Renowned for its unique aerial tubers, this plant holds significant ethnobotanical value. It is widely utilized in traditional medicine to treat various ailments, including inflammation, skin disorders, and digestive issues across many cultures.
- Scientific name: Dioscorea bulbifera
- Family: Dioscoreaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Dioscoreales, it is classified under the family Dioscoreaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Dioscorea.
| 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, known scientifically as Dioscorea bulbifera, is recognized by various common names depending on the region and language. In the Dhivehi language, it is referred to as މަތިވައް ކައްޓަލަ, while in Chinese, it is identified by several localized names including 黄独 (zh-hans and zh-cn), 黃獨 (zh-hant), and 黃獨 (zh-hk).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| dv | މަތިވައް ކައްޓަލަ | Wikidata |
| zh-hans | 黄独 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 黃獨 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 黃獨 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 黄独 | Wikidata |
| zh-sg | 黄独 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 山芋 | Wikidata |
| id | Gembolo | Wikidata |
| de | Luftkartoffel | Wikidata |
| vi | Khoai trời | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific geographical presence within the region of West Tropical Africa. It can be found growing naturally in the country of Benin. Additionally, its distribution extends into the territory of Burkina. The species is also documented throughout Ghana and Guinea-Bissau. Finally, its range includes the nation of Guinea.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Burkina | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea-Bissau | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ivory Coast | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Liberia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Mali | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Senegal | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as air potato, possesses unique morphological features that are utilized in various medicinal and culinary contexts. The most distinctive parts are the aerial bulbils, which grow along the stems and serve as a method of reproduction. Below the surface, the plant develops starchy tubers and specialized rhizomes that store energy and nutrients. While the whole plant is often studied for its various bioactive compounds, specific attention is frequently given to the chemical properties found within both the underground tuber and the hanging bulbils.- Total parts
- 11
- Scientific sources
- 13
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| tuber | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bulbils | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| whole plant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tubers | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rhizomes | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rhizome | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fruit | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bulbs | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Dioscorea bulbifera has 40 reported phytochemicals identified across 51 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Diosbulbin B, 8-epidiosbulbin E acetate, diosbulbin B, diosgenin, 8-Epidiosbulbin E acetate.
- Total chemicals
- 40
- Scientific sources
- 51
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Diosbulbin B | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| 8-epidiosbulbin E acetate | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| diosbulbin B | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| diosgenin | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| 8-Epidiosbulbin E acetate | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dioscin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 3,7-dimethoxy-5,3',4'-trihydroxyflavone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 3,7-dimethoxy-5,4'-dihydroxyflavone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 7-tetradecenal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 8-epidiosbulbin E | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Dioscorea bulbifera has 8 reported activities identified across 17 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antioxidant, Antidiabetic, Hepatotoxic, Analgesic.
- Total activities
- 8
- Scientific sources
- 17
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Anticancer | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hepatotoxic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antinociceptive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiproliferative | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Neuroprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Dioscorea bulbifera has 21 reported medicinal uses identified across 28 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include goiter, antidiabetic, carbuncles, inflammation, tumor.
- Total uses
- 21
- Scientific sources
- 28
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| goiter | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| antidiabetic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| carbuncles | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| inflammation | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tumor | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tumors | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Breast Cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Breast cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Gram-negative bacteria | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Mycobacteria | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |