Wild yam

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• wild yam

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Helmia dregeana

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

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 and the family Dioscoreaceae, it is classified under the genus Dioscorea. Specifically, this species is identified as Dioscorea dregeana.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific range across the southern regions of the African continent. Within South Tropical Africa, its presence is noted in the country of Mozambique. Moving into Southern Africa, it can be found throughout the Cape Provinces. The species is also distributed within the KwaZulu-Natal region of Southern Africa. Additionally, its geographical reach extends to include the nation of Eswatini.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Dioscorea dregeana is characterized by its occurrence across a distinct altitudinal gradient within its native habitat. This species thrives in diverse montane and subtropical environments, maintaining a specific vertical distribution that ranges from a minimum elevation of 275 m AMSL to a maximum elevation of 1400 m AMSL. This elevational range suggests that the plant is adapted to varying climatic conditions, transitioning from warmer, lower-altitude ecosystems to cooler, higher-altitude zones within this span. Such a distribution implies a capacity to inhabit various microclimates and soil types found between these two elevations, which dictates its availability and growth patterns in the wild.

Elevational range max:

1400 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

275 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Dioscorea dregeana is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a cryptophyte, it employs specialized survival strategies to endure unfavorable environmental conditions, maintaining its presence in its habitat over long durations. Specifically, the species functions as a geophyte, relying on underground storage organs to protect its vital tissues and facilitate regrowth after periods of dormancy.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Dioscorea dregeana is characterized by its growth habit as an obligatory climber, utilizing surrounding structures for support to reach significant heights. The plant exhibits a substantial stature, with a growth range that extends from a minimum of 1 meter to a maximum height of 12 meters. It functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor as an epiphyte, as it maintains a terrestrial existence. Although its habitat can vary across different moisture gradients, its primary ecological classification is terrestrial.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

12 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Activities

Dioscorea dregeana has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial.

Antibacterial

1. Current topics in medicinal chemistry

Conditions

Dioscorea dregeana has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include infectious diseases.

Infectious diseases

1. Current topics in medicinal chemistry

Preparations

Dioscorea dregeana has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include extracts.

Extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology