Dioscorea septemloba

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Dioscorea septemloba var. sititoana
• Dioscorea septemloba var. platyphylla
• Dioscorea sititoana

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, specifically classified within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further organized under the order Dioscoreales and the family Dioscoreaceae. Ultimately, it is identified by its genus, Dioscorea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical range concentrated within the East Asian region. In China, it is primarily distributed throughout the southeastern parts of the country. Its presence extends further north into the neighboring territories of Korea. Additionally, the species can be found growing in the islands of Japan. Together, these locations define the natural habitat for Dioscorea septemloba.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Dioscorea septemloba is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. It functions as a geophyte, a life form where the plant survives unfavorable periods through underground storage organs. Furthermore, it is classified as a cryptophyte, meaning its regenerative buds are protected beneath the soil surface, ensuring its survival during dormancy.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Dioscorea septemloba is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb. It functions as an obligatory climber, utilizing specialized structures to ascend surrounding vegetation for support. As an independent organism, it does not exhibit parasitic behavior, and it maintains a terrestrial habit, growing within the soil substrate rather than as an epiphyte.

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Dioscorea septemloba has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include rhizome.

Rhizome

1. Journal of chromatographic science

Chemicals

Dioscorea septemloba has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include DIOSGENIN.

DIOSGENIN

1. BMC biochemistry

Conditions

Dioscorea septemloba has 3 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include rheumatism, bone turnover, diuresis.

Rheumatism

1. Journal of chromatographic science
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Bone turnover

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Diuresis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology