Description
Wild Yam (''Dioscorea'') is a vine that is invasive, deciduous, and herbaceous. This species is native to Asia, though, in the U.S., it is commonly found in Florida. They can grow over in length. Wild yams are an important crop, as they have been used to prevent menstrual cramps, stomach cramps, and general pain for centuries. During the 1950s scientists found that the roots of wild yams contained diosgenin which is a plant-based estrogen; diosgenin is hypothesized to aid in chemical defense against herbivores. This was used to create the first birth control pills during the 60s. In addition, some ''Dioscorea'' species are rich in nutrients and antioxidants. This is beneficial in rural areas where the plant is native because it enriches the diets of individuals who live in the area. These plants grow best near canopy gaps in woodlands and rainforests. ''Dioscorea'' uses vining behavior which is useful in tropical habitats because ''Dioscorea'' grow under canopies and need to latch onto different surfaces in order to grow upwards and acquire resources.Cultivation and uses
Several species, known as yams, are importantMechanism
Although the mechanism of ''Dioscorea'' vine behavior is unknown, it is likely that ''Dioscorea'' acts similarly to vines in terms of growth and movement behavior. Vines have a touch-sensitive component that allows them to locate and latch onto a supporting base. They use nearby plants, rocks, trees, and structures for physical support. Their touch receptors allow them to reach out and sense objects. Vines seek out these surfaces by sending out shoots to assess the area. This behavior is dependent on the species, but these shoots typically move in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, induced by circadian rhythms (Digital time-lapse video). When the vine makes contact with an object, the tendril shoot will coil around the object; this is a reaction called thigmotropism. This tendril can control the amount of tension and squeeze the object to stay attached to it and prevent falling. Leaf growth is typically postponed until the relative stem has secured support. When leaf growth is delayed, shoot growth is hastened. Some vines produce an adhesive on their stems that contain calcium to better latch onto structures. A gradient is produced and the calcium exits cells to spread over stems. Furthermore, ''Dioscorea'' is a twiner, this means that the plant undergoes circumnutation which is a helical movement that allows stems to wrap around objects. In order for this mechanism to take place, endodermal cells, plasmodesmata, the plasma membrane, epidermal cells, calcium, potassium, chloride, and proton pumps are required. The SCR gene is also crucial for twining to occur. To better understand the physiology of ''Dioscorea'' further research must be conducted as much has still not been discovered.Experiment
In 2009, an experiment was conducted to address the mechanism of force generation in the twining plant, ''Dioscorea'' ''bulbifera''. To do this, the authors used a mechanical pole that measured the squeezing force of the twining vine. Plants were grown in a greenhouse setting, and once the shoots of the plants started "circumnutating," a pole was introduced to allow for twining around the object. Authors found that the amount of force being applied to the pole when the vine is twining is due to the stretching of the stipule. The forces of the bending and twisting motion of ''D. bulbifera'' did not generate a measurable force. In addition, this experiment indicates that stipules are not the only driving force for tension in vines and that they contribute to increased squeezing force later in development. Overall, ''Dioscorea'' has a vining mechanism that allows it to obtain nutrients while living under a canopy; it has evolved to do this by seeking out surfaces to climb and latch onto. Vines, like ''Dioscorea'', have touch-sensitive components that allow them to specialize in this behavior.Accepted species (613), subspecies, and varieties
The genus includes the following species and subspecies:A
* ''B
* '' Dioscorea bahiensis'' R.Knuth * '' Dioscorea bako'' Wilkin * '' Dioscorea balcanica'' Košanin * '' Dioscorea bancana'' Prain & Burkill * '' Dioscorea banzhuana'' S.J.Pei & C.T.Ting * '' Dioscorea bartlettii'' C.V.Morton * '' Dioscorea basiclavicaulis'' Rizzini & A.Mattos * '' Dioscorea baya'' De Wild. * '' Dioscorea beecheyi'' R.Knuth * '' Dioscorea belophylla'' (Prain) Voigt ex Haines * '' Dioscorea bemandry'' Jum. & H.Perrier * '' Dioscorea bemarivensis'' Jum. & H.Perrier * '' Dioscorea benthamii'' Prain & Burkill * '' Dioscorea berenicea'' McVaugh * '' Dioscorea bermejensis'' R.Knuth * ''C
* '' Dioscorea cachipuertensis'' Ayala * '' Dioscorea calcicola'' Prain & Burkill * '' Dioscorea caldasensis'' R.Knuth * '' Dioscorea calderillensis'' R.Knuth * '' Dioscorea callacatensis'' R.Knuth * '' Dioscorea cambodiana'' Prain & Burkill * '' Dioscorea campanulata'' Uline ex R.Knuth * '' Dioscorea campestris'' Griseb. * '' Dioscorea campos-portoi'' R.Knuth * '' Dioscorea carionis'' Prain & Burkill * ''D
* ''Dioscorea daunea'' Prain & Burkill * ''Dioscorea davidsei'' O.Téllez * ''Dioscorea de-mourae'' Uline ex R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea debilis'' Uline ex R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea decaryana'' H.Perrier * ''Dioscorea decipiens'' Hook.f. * ''Dioscorea decorticans'' C.Presl * ''Dioscorea deflexa'' Griseb. * ''Dioscorea delavayi'' Franch. * ''Dioscorea delicata'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea deltoidea'' Wall. ex Griseb. * ''Dioscorea dendrotricha'' Uline * ''Dioscorea densiflora'' Hemsl. * ''Dioscorea depauperata'' Prain & Burkill * ''Dioscorea diamantinensis'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea dicranandra'' Donn.Sm. * ''Dioscorea dielsii'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea dissimulans'' Prain & Burkill * ''Dioscorea divaricata'' Blanco * ''Dioscorea diversifolia'' Griseb. * ''Dioscorea dodecaneura'' Vell. * ''Dioscorea dregeana'' (Kunth) T.Durand & Schinz * ''Dioscorea duchassaingii'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea dugesii'' C.B.Rob. * ''Dioscorea dumetorum'' (Kunth) Pax * ''Dioscorea dumetosa'' Uline ex R.KnuthE
* ''Dioscorea ekmanii'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea elegans'' Ridl. ex Prain & Burkill * ''Dioscorea elephantipes'' (L'Hér.) Engl. * ''Dioscorea entomophila'' Hauman * ''Dioscorea epistephioides'' Taub. * ''Dioscorea escuintlensis'' Matuda * ''Dioscorea esculenta'' (Lour.) Burkill * ''Dioscorea esquirolii'' Prain & Burkill * ''Dioscorea exalata'' C.T.Ting & M.C.ChangF
* ''Dioscorea fandra'' H.Perrier * ''Dioscorea fasciculocongesta'' (Sosa & B.G.Schub.) O.Téllez * ''Dioscorea fastigiata'' Gay * ''Dioscorea fendleri'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea ferreyrae'' Ayala * ''Dioscorea filiformis'' Blume * ''Dioscorea flabellifolia'' Prain & Burkill * ''Dioscorea flaccida'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea floribunda'' M.Martens & Galeotti * ''Dioscorea floridana'' Bartlett * ''Dioscorea fodinarum'' Kunth * ''Dioscorea fordii'' Prain & Burkill * ''Dioscorea formosana'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea fractiflexa'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea fuliginosa'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea furcata'' Griseb. * ''Dioscorea futschauensis'' Uline ex R.KnuthG
* ''Dioscorea galeottiana'' Kunth * ''Dioscorea galiiflora'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea gallegosi'' Matuda * ''Dioscorea garrettii'' Prain & Burkill * ''Dioscorea gaumeri'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea gentryi'' O.Téllez * ''Dioscorea gillettii'' Milne-Redh. * ''Dioscorea glabra'' Roxb. * ''Dioscorea glandulosa'' (Griseb.) Klotzsch ex Kunth * ''Dioscorea glandulosa var. calcensis'' (R.Knuth) Ayala * ''Dioscorea glomerulata'' Hauman * ''Dioscorea gomez-pompae'' O.Téllez * ''Dioscorea gracilicaulis'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea gracilipes'' Prain & Burkill * ''Dioscorea gracilis'' Hook. ex Poepp. * ''Dioscorea gracillima'' Miq. * ''Dioscorea grandiflora'' Mart. ex Griseb. * ''Dioscorea grandis'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea grata'' Prain & Burkill * ''Dioscorea gribinguiensis'' Baudon * ''Dioscorea grisebachii'' Kunth * ''Dioscorea guerrerensis'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea guianensis'' R.KnuthH
* ''Dioscorea haenkeana'' C.Presl * ''Dioscorea hamiltonii'' Hook.f. * ''Dioscorea hassleriana'' Chodat * ''Dioscorea hastata'' Mill. * ''Dioscorea hastatissima'' Rusby * ''I
* ''Dioscorea igualamontana'' Matuda * ''Dioscorea incayensis'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea inopinata'' Prain & Burkill * ''Dioscorea insignis'' C.V.Morton & B.G.Schub. * ''Dioscorea intermedia'' Thwaites * ''Dioscorea ionophylla'' Uline ex R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea iquitosensis'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea irupanensis'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea itapirensis'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea itatiensis'' R.KnuthJ
* ''Dioscorea jaliscana'' S.Watson * ''Dioscorea jamesonii'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea japonica'' Thunb. - ''Shan yao'' in Chinese () * ''Dioscorea javariensis'' Ayala * ''Dioscorea juxtlahuacensis'' (O.Téllez & Dávila) Caddick & WilkinK
* ''Dioscorea kalkapershadii'' Prain & Burkill * ''Dioscorea kamoonensis'' Kunth * ''Dioscorea keduensis'' Burkill ex Backer * ''Dioscorea kerrii'' Prain & Burkill * ''Dioscorea killipii'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea kimiae'' Wilkin * ''Dioscorea kingii'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea kituiensis'' Wilkin & Muasya * ''Dioscorea kjellbergii'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea knuthiana'' De Wild. * ''Dioscorea koepperi'' Standl. * ''Dioscorea koyamae'' Jayas. * ''Dioscorea kratica'' Prain & Burkill * ''Dioscorea kunthiana'' Uline * ''Dioscorea kuntzei'' Uline ex KuntzeL
* ''Dioscorea lacerdaei'' Griseb. * ''Dioscorea laevis'' Uline * ''Dioscorea lamprocaula'' Prain & Burkill * ''Dioscorea lanata'' Bail * ''Dioscorea larecajensis'' Uline ex R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea laurifolia'' Wall. ex Hook.f. * ''Dioscorea lawrancei'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea laxiflora'' Mart. ex Griseb. * ''Dioscorea lehmannii'' Uline * ''Dioscorea lepcharum'' Prain & Burkill * ''Dioscorea lepida'' C.V.Morton * ''Dioscorea leptobotrys'' Uline ex R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea liebmannii'' Uline * ''Dioscorea lijiangensis'' C.L.Long & H.Li * ''Dioscorea linearicordata'' Prain & Burkill * ''Dioscorea lisae'' Dorr & Stergios * ''Dioscorea listeri'' Prain & Burkill * ''Dioscorea litoralis'' Phil. * ''Dioscorea loefgrenii'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea loheri'' Prain & Burkill * ''Dioscorea longicuspis'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea longipes'' Phil. * ''Dioscorea longirhiza'' Caddick & Wilkin * ''Dioscorea longituba'' Uline * ''Dioscorea lundii'' Uline ex R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea luzonensis'' SchauerM
* ''Dioscorea macbrideana'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea maciba'' Jum. & H.Perrier * ''Dioscorea macrantha'' Uline ex R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea macrothyrsa'' Uline * ''Dioscorea macvaughii'' B.G.Schub. * ''Dioscorea madecassa'' H.Perrier * ''Dioscorea madiunensis'' Prain & Burkill * ''Dioscorea maianthemoides'' Uline ex R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea mamillata'' Jum. & H.Perrier * ''Dioscorea mandonii'' Rusby * ''Dioscorea mangenotiana'' J.Miège * ''Dioscorea mantigueirensis'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea margarethia'' G.M.Barroso, E.F.Guim. & Sucre * ''Dioscorea marginata'' Griseb. * ''Dioscorea martensis'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea martiana'' Griseb. * ''Dioscorea martini'' Prain & Burkill * ''Dioscorea matagalpensis'' Uline * ''Dioscorea matudae'' O.Téllez & B.G.Schub. * ''Dioscorea mayottensis'' Wilkin * ''Dioscorea megacarpa'' Gleason * ''Dioscorea megalantha'' Griseb. * ''Dioscorea melanophyma'' Prain & Burkill * ''Dioscorea melastomatifolia'' Uline ex Prain * ''Dioscorea membranacea'' Pierre ex Prain & Burkill * ''Dioscorea menglaensis'' H.Li * ''Dioscorea meridensis'' Kunth * ''Dioscorea merrillii'' Prain & Burkill * ''Dioscorea mesoamericana'' O.Téllez & Mart.-Rodr. * ''Dioscorea mexicana'' Scheidw. * ''Dioscorea microbotrya'' Griseb. * ''Dioscorea microcephala'' Uline * ''Dioscorea microura'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea mindanaensis'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea minima'' C.B.Rob. & Seaton * ''Dioscorea minutiflora'' Engl. * ''Dioscorea mitis'' C.V.Morton * ''Dioscorea mitoensis'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea modesta'' Phil. * ''Dioscorea mollis'' Kunth * ''Dioscorea monadelpha'' (Kunth) Griseb. * ''Dioscorea × monandra'' Hauman * ''Dioscorea morelosana'' (Uline) Matuda * ''Dioscorea moritziana'' (Kunth) R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea mosqueirensis'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea moultonii'' Prain & Burkill * ''Dioscorea moyobambensis'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea mucronata'' Uline ex R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea multiflora'' Mart. ex Griseb. * ''Dioscorea multiloba'' Kunth * ''Dioscorea multinervis'' Benth. * ''Dioscorea mundii'' BakerN
* ''Dioscorea nako'' H.Perrier * ''Dioscorea namorokensis'' Wilkin * ''Dioscorea nana'' Poepp. * ''Dioscorea nanlaensis'' H.Li * ''Dioscorea natalensis'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea natalia'' Hammel * ''Dioscorea neblinensis'' Maguire & Steyerm. * ''Dioscorea nelsonii'' Uline ex R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea nematodes'' Uline ex R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea nervata'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea nervosa'' Phil. * ''Dioscorea nicolasensis'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea nieuwenhuisii'' Prain & Burkill * ''Dioscorea nipensis'' R.A.Howard * ''Dioscorea nipponica'' Makino * ''Dioscorea nitens'' Prain & Burkill * ''Dioscorea nuda'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea nummularia'' Lam. * ''Dioscorea nutans'' R.KnuthO
* ''Dioscorea oaxacensis'' Uline * ''Dioscorea obcuneata'' Hook.f. * ''Dioscorea oblonga'' Gleason * ''Dioscorea oblongifolia'' Rusby * ''Dioscorea obtusifolia'' Hook. & Arn. * ''Dioscorea olfersiana'' Klotzsch ex Griseb. * ''Dioscorea oligophylla'' Phil. * ''Dioscorea omiltemensis'' O.Téllez * ''Dioscorea opaca'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea oppositiflora'' Griseb. * ''Dioscorea oppositifolia'' L. - ''Shan yao'' in Chinese () * ''Dioscorea orangeana'' Wilkin * ''Dioscorea orbiculata'' Hook.f. * ''Dioscorea orbiculata var. tenuifolia'' (Ridl.) Thapyai * ''Dioscorea oreodoxa'' B.G.Schub. * ''Dioscorea organensis'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea orientalis'' (J.Thiébaut) Caddick & Wilkin * ''Dioscorea orizabensis'' Uline * ''Dioscorea orthogoneura'' Uline ex Hochr. * ''Dioscorea oryzetorum'' Prain & Burkill * ''Dioscorea ovalifolia'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea ovata'' Vell. * ''Dioscorea ovinala'' BakerP
* ''Dioscorea palawana'' Prain & Burkill * ''Dioscorea paleata'' Burkill * ''Dioscorea pallens'' Schltdl. * ''Dioscorea pallidinervia'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea palmeri'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea panamensis'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea panthaica'' Prain & Burkill * ''Dioscorea pantojensis'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea paradoxa'' Prain & Burkill * ''Dioscorea pavonii'' Uline ex R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea pedicellata'' Phil. * ''Dioscorea pencana'' Phil. * ''Dioscorea pendula'' Poepp. ex Kunth * ''Dioscorea pentaphylla'' L. * ''Dioscorea peperoides'' Prain & Burkill * ''Dioscorea perdicum'' Taub. * ''Dioscorea perenensis'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea perpilosa'' H.Perrier * ''Dioscorea petelotii'' Prain & Burkill * ''Dioscorea philippiana'' Uline ex R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea piauhyensis'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea pierrei'' Prain & Burkill * ''Dioscorea pilcomayensis'' Hauman * ''Dioscorea pilgeriana'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea pilosiuscula'' Bertero ex Spreng. * ''Dioscorea pinedensis'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea piperifolia'' Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd. * ''Dioscorea piscatorum'' Prain & Burkill * ''Dioscorea pittieri'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea planistipulosa'' Uline ex R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea plantaginifolia'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea platycarpa'' Prain & Burkill * ''Dioscorea platycolpota'' Uline ex B.L.Rob. * ''Dioscorea plumifera'' C.B.Rob. * ''Dioscorea pohlii'' Griseb. * ''Dioscorea pohlii var. luschnathiana'' (Kunth) Uline ex R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea poilanei'' Prain & Burkill * ''Dioscorea polyclados'' Hook.f. * ''Dioscorea polygonoides'' Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd. * ''Dioscorea polystachya'' Turcz. (also: ''Dioscorea batatas Decne'') * ''Dioscorea pomeroonensis'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea potarensis'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea praehensilis'' Benth. * ''Dioscorea prainiana'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea prazeri'' Prain & Burkill * ''Dioscorea preslii'' Steud. * ''Dioscorea preussii'' Pax * ''Dioscorea preussii subsp. hylophila'' (Harms) Wilkin * ''Dioscorea pringlei'' C.B.Rob. * ''Dioscorea proteiformis'' H.Perrier * ''Dioscorea psammophila'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea pseudomacrocapsa'' G.M.Barroso, E.F.Guim. & Sucre * ''Dioscorea pseudorajanioides'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea pseudotomentosa'' Prain & Burkill * ''Dioscorea pteropoda'' Boivin ex H.Perrier * ''Dioscorea pubera'' Blume * ''Dioscorea pubescens'' Poir. * ''Dioscorea pumicicola'' Uline * ''Dioscorea pumilio'' Griseb. * ''Dioscorea puncticulata'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea purdiei'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea putisensis'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea putumayensis'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea pynaertii'' De Wild. * ''Dioscorea pyrenaica'' Bubani & Bordère ex Gren. * ''Dioscorea pyrifolia'' KunthQ
* ''Dioscorea quartiniana'' A.Rich. * ''Dioscorea quaternata'' J.F. Gmel. * ''Dioscorea quinquelobata'' Thunb. * ''Dioscorea quispicanchensis'' R.KnuthR
* ''Dioscorea racemosa'' (Klotzsch) Uline * ''Dioscorea regnellii'' Uline ex R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea remota'' C.V.Morton * ''Dioscorea remotiflora'' Kunth * ''Dioscorea reticulata'' Gay * ''Dioscorea retusa'' Mast. * ''Dioscorea reversiflora'' Uline * ''Dioscorea ridleyi'' Prain & Burkill * ''Dioscorea riedelii'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea rigida'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea rimbachii'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea rockii'' Prain & Burkill * ''Dioscorea rosei'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea rumicoides'' Griseb. * ''Dioscorea rupicola'' Kunth * ''Dioscorea rusbyi'' UlineS
* ''Dioscorea sabarensis'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea sagittata'' Poir. * ''Dioscorea sagittifolia'' Pax * ''Dioscorea sagittifolia var. lecardii'' (De Wild.) Nkounkou * ''Dioscorea salicifolia'' Blume * ''Dioscorea salvadorensis'' Standl. * ''Dioscorea sambiranensis'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea sanchez-colini'' Matuda * ''Dioscorea sandiensis'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea sandwithii'' B.G.Schub. * ''Dioscorea sanpaulensis'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea sansibarensis'' Pax * ''Dioscorea santanderensis'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea santosensis'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea sarasinii'' Uline ex R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea saxatilis'' Poepp. * ''Dioscorea scabra'' Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd. * ''Dioscorea schimperiana'' Hochst. ex Kunth * ''Dioscorea schubertiae'' Ayala * ''Dioscorea schunkei'' Ayala & T.Clayton * ''Dioscorea schwackei'' Uline ex R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea scortechinii'' Prain & Burkill * ''Dioscorea secunda'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea sellowiana'' Uline ex R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea semperflorens'' Uline * ''Dioscorea septemloba'' Thunb. * ''Dioscorea septemnervis'' Vell. * ''Dioscorea sericea'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea seriflora'' Jum. & H.Perrier * ''Dioscorea serpenticola'' Hoque & P.K.Mukh. * ''Dioscorea sessiliflora'' McVaugh * ''Dioscorea sexrimata'' Burkill * ''Dioscorea simulans'' Prain & Burkill * ''Dioscorea sincorensis'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea sinoparviflora'' C.T.Ting, M.G.Gilbert & Turland * ''Dioscorea sinuata'' Vell. * ''Dioscorea sitamiana'' Prain & Burkill * ''Dioscorea skottsbergii'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea smilacifolia'' De Wild. & T.Durand * ''Dioscorea sonlaensis'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea sororopana'' Steyerm. * ''Dioscorea soso'' Jum. & H.Perrier * ''Dioscorea soso var. trichopoda'' (Jum. & H.Perrier) Burkill & H.Perrier * ''Dioscorea spectabilis'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea spicata'' Roth * ''Dioscorea spiculiflora'' Hemsl. * ''Dioscorea spiculoides'' Matuda * ''Dioscorea spongiosa'' J.Q.Xi, M.Mizuno & W.L.Zhao * ''Dioscorea sprucei'' Uline ex R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea standleyi'' C.V.Morton * ''Dioscorea stegelmanniana'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea stellaris'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea stemonoides'' Prain & Burkill * ''Dioscorea stenocolpus'' Phil. * ''Dioscorea stenomeriflora'' Prain & Burkill * ''Dioscorea stenopetala'' Hauman * ''Dioscorea stenophylla'' Uline * ''Dioscorea sterilis'' O.Weber & Wilkin * ''Dioscorea stipulosa'' Uline ex R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea subcalva'' Prain & Burkill * ''Dioscorea subhastata'' Vell. * ''Dioscorea sublignosa'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea submigra'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea subtomentosa'' Miranda * ''Dioscorea sumatrana'' Prain & Burkill * ''Dioscorea sumiderensis'' B.G.Schub. & O.Téllez * ''Dioscorea suratensis'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea sylvatica'' Eckl. * ''Dioscorea synandra'' Uline * ''Dioscorea syringifolia'' (Kunth) Kunth & R.H.Schomb. ex R.KnuthT
* ''Dioscorea tabatae'' Hatus. ex Yamashita & M.N.Tamura * ''Dioscorea tacanensis'' Lundell * ''Dioscorea tamarisciflora'' Prain & Burkill * ''Dioscorea tamoidea'' Griseb. * ''Dioscorea tamshiyacuensis'' Ayala * ''Dioscorea tancitarensis'' Matuda * ''Dioscorea tarijensis'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea tarmensis'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea tauriglossum'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea tayacajensis'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea temascaltepecensis'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea tenebrosa'' C.V.Morton * ''Dioscorea tenella'' Phil. * ''Dioscorea tentaculigera'' Prain & Burkill * ''Dioscorea tenuipes'' Franch. & Sav. * ''Dioscorea tenuiphyllum'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea tenuis'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea tequendamensis'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea ternata'' Griseb. * ''Dioscorea therezopolensis'' Uline ex R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea togoensis'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea tokoro'' Makino ex Miyabe * ''Dioscorea toldosensis'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea tomentosa'' J.Koenig ex Spreng. * ''Dioscorea torticaulis'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea trachyandra'' Griseb. * ''Dioscorea trachycarpa'' Kunth * ''Dioscorea traillii'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea transversa'' R.Br. * ''Dioscorea triandria'' Sessé & Moc. * ''Dioscorea trichantha'' Baker * ''Dioscorea trichanthera'' Gleason * ''Dioscorea trifida'' L.f. * ''Dioscorea trifoliata'' Kunth * ''Dioscorea trifurcata'' Hauman * ''Dioscorea trilinguis'' Griseb. * ''Dioscorea trimenii'' Prain & Burkill * ''Dioscorea trinervia'' Roxb. ex Prain & Burkill * ''Dioscorea trisecta'' Griseb. * ''Dioscorea trollii'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea truncata'' Miq. * ''Dioscorea tsaratananensis'' H.Perrier * ''Dioscorea tubiperianthia'' Matuda * ''Dioscorea tubuliflora'' Uline ex R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea tubulosa'' Griseb.U
* ''Dioscorea uliginosa'' Phil. * ''Dioscorea ulinei'' Greenm. ex R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea undatiloba'' Baker * ''Dioscorea urceolata'' Uline * ''Dioscorea urophylla'' Hemsl. * ''Dioscorea uruapanensis'' MatudaV
* ''Dioscorea valdiviensis'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea vanvuurenii'' Prain & Burkill * ''Dioscorea variifolia'' Bertero * ''Dioscorea velutipes'' Prain & Burkill * ''Dioscorea vexans'' Prain & Burkill * ''Dioscorea vilis'' Kunth * ''Dioscorea villosa'' L. * ''Dioscorea volckmannii'' Phil.W
* ''Dioscorea wallichii'' Hook.f. * ''Dioscorea warburgiana'' Uline ex Prain & Burkill * ''Dioscorea warmingii'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea wattii'' Prain & Burkill * ''Dioscorea weberbaueri'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea widgrenii'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea wightii'' Hook.f. * ''Dioscorea wittiana'' R.Knuth * ''Dioscorea wrightii'' Uline ex R.KnuthX
* ''Dioscorea xizangensis'' C.T.TingY
* ''Dioscorea yunnanensis'' Prain & BurkillZ
* ''Dioscorea zingiberensis'' C.H.Wright The closely related genus ''Tamus'' is included in ''Dioscorea'' by some sources,, search for "Tamus" but is maintained as distinct by others., p. 854 For ''Dioscorea communis'' (L.) Caddick & Wilkin, see ''Tamus communis''.See also
* Yam (vegetable), Yams * Mexican barbasco tradeReferences
Bibliography