Dioscorea kamoonensis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Dioscorea ochroleuca
• Dioscorea kamoonensis var. brevifolia
• Dioscorea kamoonensis var. praecox
• Dioscorea kamoonensis var. straminea
• Dioscorea kamoonensis var. vera
• Dioscorea kamoonensis var. fargesii
• Dioscorea fargesii
• Dioscorea dissecta
• Dioscorea firma
• Dioscorea mengtzeana
• Dioscorea subfusca
• Dioscorea bonatiana
• Dioscorea brevifolia

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

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. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Dioscorea, specifically as the species Dioscorea kamoonensis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across various regions of Asia. Within China, it can be found in the South-Central and Southeast territories, as well as in the high-altitude areas of Tibet. Moving towards the Indian Subcontinent, its presence is well-documented in the state of Assam. Additionally, the species extends its range into the neighboring country of Bangladesh. Consequently, these diverse locations highlight the widespread natural habitat of Dioscorea kamoonensis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Dioscorea kamoonensis is defined by its ability to thrive within a broad altitudinal gradient, spanning diverse montane environments. This species is primarily distributed across various mountain landscapes, occupying an elevational range that begins at a minimum of 500 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 3000 m AMSL. Throughout its natural habitat, the plant maintains a mean elevation of approximately 1700 m AMSL, indicating a strong ecological preference for mid-to-high altitude zones. This vertical distribution suggests an adaptability to varying temperature regimes and atmospheric pressures, allowing it to colonize different ecological niches within its mountainous range.

Elevational range max:

3000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1700 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

500 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Dioscorea kamoonensis is characterized by its specialized survival strategy as a perennial herb that utilizes underground storage organs to endure unfavorable environmental conditions. Categorized under the life form classifications of both geophyte and cryptophyte, the plant undergoes distinct seasonal cycles where its above-ground vegetative structures die back, leaving the biological activity concentrated within a subterranean tuber. As a geophyte, it relies on this tuberous structure to store nutrients and moisture, allowing it to remain dormant during periods of drought or extreme temperatures. This crypto-phyte strategy ensures that the vital growing points are protected beneath the soil surface, facilitating rapid regrowth and climbing stem development once favorable seasonal conditions return.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Dioscorea kamoonensis is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb that functions as an obligatory climber, utilizing specialized structures to ascend surrounding vegetation. This plant is strictly terrestrial in its ecological habit, lacking aquatic or epiphytic tendencies, and operates as an independent organism without any parasitic relationship with host plants.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Dioscorea kamoonensis involves the development of specialized fruit structures that exhibit specific morphological dimensions. The fruits produced by this species vary in size, with recorded lengths ranging from a minimum of 1.5 cm to a maximum of 2 cm, maintaining an average length of 1.75 cm. Similarly, the width of the fruit shows measurable variation, starting from a minimum of 1 cm and reaching a maximum of 1.2 cm, with a mean width of 1.1 cm. These dimensional characteristics are essential for identifying the reproductive output and maturity of the plant's fruit development.

Fruit length max:

2 cm

Fruit length mean:

1.75 cm

Fruit length min:

1.5 cm

Fruit width max:

1.2 cm

Fruit width mean:

1.1 cm

Fruit width min:

1 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Dioscorea kamoonensis has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include STARCH.

STARCH

1. Journal of the science of food and agriculture