Yam (vegetable)
Dioscorea hispida · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (1 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Yam (vegetable), scientifically known as Dioscorea hispida, is a climbing perennial vine native to East Asia. Often referred to as the bristly yam, it contains bioactive alkaloids used in traditional medicine. While toxic if consumed raw, its processed extracts offer significant therapeutic potential for treating inflammation and pain.
Names
Common Names
- Yam (vegetable)
- Asiatic bitter yam
- intoxicating yam
- Indian Three-leaved Yam
Regional and Traditional Names
German:
- bittere Yamswurzel
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Dioscorea hispidaSynonyms
- Helmia daemona
- Helmia hirsuta
- Dioscorea hispida var. daemona
- Dioscorea hispida var. mollissima
- Dioscorea hispida var. reticulata
- Dioscorea virosa
- Dioscorea hirsuta
- Dioscorea lunata
- Dioscorea mollissima
- Dioscorea triphylla var. daemona
- Dioscorea triphylla var. mollissima
- Dioscorea triphylla var. reticulata
- Dioscorea daemona
- Dioscorea daemona var. reticulata
- Dioscorea hispida var. scaphoides
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 is categorized under the order Dioscoreales and the family Dioscoreaceae. Ultimately, its specific taxonomic identification is placed 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 |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a wide distribution across several key regions in Asia. Within China, its presence is noted in Hainan, Tibet, and throughout Southeast China. The species also extends into Eastern Asia, specifically being found in Taiwan. Furthermore, it inhabits parts of the Indian Subcontinent, particularly in the Assam region. Collectively, these locations highlight its significant range across diverse Asian landscapes.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| China | Hainan | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| China | Tibet | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Taiwan | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Assam | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | East Himalaya | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | India | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Nepal | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | West Himalaya | WCVP |
Chemicals
Dioscorea hispida has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include STARCH.
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| STARCH | Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |