Dioscorea cayenensis

Dioscorea cayennensis (unjustified correction)

Dioscorea cayenensis, commonly known as cassava yam, is a vital tuberous plant native to West Africa. Renowned for its nutritional density, it serves as a primary staple crop. Beyond sustenance, it holds significant ethnobotanical importance, utilized in traditional medicine for its potential anti-inflammatory and therapeutic properties across various cultures.

  • Scientific name: Dioscorea cayenensis
  • Family: Dioscoreaceae
  • Native range: Africa

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Dioscoreales and the family Dioscoreaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic placement is within 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 as Dioscorea cayenensis, is identified by various names across different linguistic contexts. In Vietnamese, it is referred to as Dioscorea cayennensis (vi), and similarly, in Cebuano, it is called Dioscorea cayennensis (ceb). In Swedish, the name remains Dioscorea cayennensis (sv), while in Waray, it is known as Dioscorea cayennensis (war), and in Italian, it is documented as Dioscorea cayennensis (it).
Language Common Name Source
vi Dioscorea cayennensis Wikidata
ceb Dioscorea cayennensis Wikidata
sv Dioscorea cayennensis Wikidata
war Dioscorea cayennensis Wikidata
it Dioscorea cayennensis Wikidata
hu Dioscorea cayennensis Wikidata
ha Doyar kudu Wikidata
zh 几内亚山药 Wikidata
en Dioscorea cayennensis (unjustified correction) Wikidata
en Dioscorea cayennensis Wikidata

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across several regions within West Tropical Africa. Specifically, its presence has been documented in the country of Benin. It can also be found growing within the borders of Burkina Faso. Furthermore, the species extends its range to include Gambia and Ghana. Finally, its geographical reach includes the nation of Guinea-Bissau.

Region Area Source
West Tropical Africa Benin WCVP
West Tropical Africa Burkina WCVP
West Tropical Africa Gambia 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

Chemicals

Dioscorea cayenensis has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include asperin, gracillin, linamarin.

Total chemicals
3
Scientific sources
3

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
asperin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
gracillin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
linamarin 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Dioscorea cayenensis has 6 reported medicinal uses identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancers, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, diabetic nephropathy, menopause.

Total uses
6
Scientific sources
6

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
cancers 1 ★☆☆☆☆
cardiovascular diseases 1 ★☆☆☆☆
diabetes mellitus 1 ★☆☆☆☆
diabetic nephropathy 1 ★☆☆☆☆
menopause 1 ★☆☆☆☆
osteoporosis 1 ★☆☆☆☆