Family

Dioscoreaceae

Genus

Dioscorea

Common Name

Chinese yam

Plant Figure

Description

Yams (Dioscorea spp.) are a tuberous crop in many tropical and subtropical regions, such as West Africa, East and South Asia, and the Caribbean. Around ten Dioscorea species have been domesticated, and they are important sources of food and income in these areas. D. opposita (Chinese yam) is one of the four famous Chinese herbs produced in Huaiqing area, it is also a very popular edible plant and has long been cultivated to promote human health and longevity through diet, and it is the 2nd most commonly grown tuberous crop in China after potato.