Dioscorea preussii
Dioscorea preussii, commonly known as a medicinal wild yam, is a significant botanical species valued in traditional ethnobotanical practices. Native to specific tropical regions, this plant is studied for its bioactive compounds. Researchers explore its potential therapeutic applications, particularly regarding its chemical properties and role in folk medicine.
- Scientific name: Dioscorea preussii
- Family: Dioscoreaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Following its placement in the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Dioscoreales, it is a member of the family Dioscoreaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identification is completed 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, Dioscorea preussii, is known by various common names depending on the linguistic and regional context. In English, it is referred to as Preuss's yam, while in German, it is called Preuss'sjams. In French, the plant is known as l'igname de Preuss, and in Swahili, it is called yam ya Preuss.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|
Distribution
This plant is primarily distributed across the West Tropical Africa region. Within this area, its presence is documented in the nation of Benin. It also grows throughout various parts of Ghana and Guinea-Bissau. Furthermore, the species can be found inhabiting the landscapes of Guinea. Finally, its geographical range extends into the Ivory Coast.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | 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 | Nigeria | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Senegal | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Sierra Leone | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Togo | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Dioscorea preussii, utilizes its leaves as a vital component in its biological processes and its traditional medicinal applications. The leaves are typically characterized by their specific shape and vein patterns, which distinguish this species within the Dioscoreaceae family. In various ethnobotanical practices, these leaves may be harvested and processed to extract bioactive compounds used for their therapeutic properties.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Dioscorea preussii has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Cytotoxic.
- Total activities
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Cytotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |