''Dioscorea'' is a genus of over 600 species of

flowering plant Flowering plants are plants that bear flowers and fruits, and form the clade Angiospermae (), commonly called angiosperms. The term "angiosperm" is derived from the Greek words ('container, vessel') and ('seed'), and refers to those plants th ...

s in the family

Dioscoreaceae Dioscoreaceae () is a family of monocotyledonous flowering plants, with about 715 known species in nine genera. The best-known member of the family is the yam (some species of ''Dioscorea''). The APG system (1998) and APG II system (2003) both ...

, native throughout the

tropical The tropics are the regions of Earth surrounding the Equator. They are defined in latitude by the Tropic of Cancer in the Northern Hemisphere at N and the Tropic of Capricorn in the Southern Hemisphere at S. The tropics are also referred to ...

and warm

temperate In geography, the temperate climates of Earth occur in the middle latitudes (23.5° to 66.5° N/S of Equator), which span between the tropics and the polar regions of Earth. These zones generally have wider temperature ranges throughout ...

regions of the world. The vast majority of the species are tropical, with only a few species extending into temperate climates. It was named by the monk Charles Plumier after the ancient

Greek Greek may refer to: Greece Anything of, from, or related to Greece, a country in Southern Europe: *Greeks, an ethnic group. *Greek language, a branch of the Indo-European language family. **Proto-Greek language, the assumed last common ancestor ...

physician and botanist

Dioscorides Pedanius Dioscorides ( grc-gre, Πεδάνιος Διοσκουρίδης, ; 40–90 AD), “the father of pharmacognosy”, was a Greek physician, pharmacologist, botanist, and author of '' De materia medica'' (, On Medical Material) —a 5-vo ...

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 important agricultural crops in tropical regions, grown for their large tubers. Many of these are toxic when fresh, but can be detoxified and eaten, and are particularly important in parts of

Africa Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent, after Asia in both cases. At about 30.3 million km2 (11.7 million square miles) including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of Earth's total surface area ...

Asia Asia (, ) is one of the world's most notable geographical regions, which is either considered a continent in its own right or a subcontinent of Eurasia, which shares the continental landmass of Afro-Eurasia with Africa. Asia covers an are ...

, and

Oceania Oceania (, , ) is a geographical region that includes Australasia, Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. Spanning the Eastern and Western hemispheres, Oceania is estimated to have a land area of and a population of around 44.5 million ...

. One class of toxins found in many species is steroidal saponins, which can be converted through a series of chemical reactions into

steroid hormone A steroid hormone is a steroid that acts as a hormone. Steroid hormones can be grouped into two classes: corticosteroids (typically made in the adrenal cortex, hence ''cortico-'') and sex steroids (typically made in the gonads or placenta). Withi ...

s for use in medicine and as contraceptives. The 1889 book "The Useful Native Plants of Australia" records that ''

Dioscorea hastifolia ''Dioscorea hastifolia'', the Adjigo (ˈadʒɪɡəʊ) yam, also known as the Warram, is a yam with long, white, edible tubers that is native to South Western Australia. It is a climbing vine with hastate, spearheaded, leaves and bears green tria ...

'' is "One of the hardiest of the yams. The tubers are largely consumed by the local aborigines for food. (Mueller)."

Mechanism

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

* ''

Dioscorea abysmophila ''Dioscorea abysmophila'' is a herbaceous vine in the genus '' Dioscorea''. It is native to Venezuela Venezuela (; ), officially the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela ( es, link=no, República Bolivariana de Venezuela), is a country on the ...

'' Maguire & Steyerm. * '' Dioscorea abyssinica'' Hochst. ex Kunth * '' Dioscorea acanthogene'' Rusby * ''

Dioscorea acerifolia ''Dioscorea'' is a genus of over 600 species of flowering plants in the family Dioscoreaceae, native throughout the tropical and warm temperate regions of the world. The vast majority of the species are tropical, with only a few species extendin ...

'' Phil. * ''

Dioscorea acuminata ''Dioscorea acuminata'' is a herbaceous vine in the family ''Dioscoreaceae'', which is listed as an endangered species by the IUCN Red List. It is indigenous to the central plateau of Madagascar Madagascar (; mg, Madagasikara, ), offici ...

'' Baker * ''

Dioscorea adenantha ''Dioscorea'' is a genus of over 600 species of flowering plants in the family Dioscoreaceae, native throughout the tropical and warm temperate regions of the world. The vast majority of the species are tropical, with only a few species extendin ...

'' Uline * ''

Dioscorea aesculifolia ''Dioscorea aesculifolia'' is a herbaceous vine in the genus ''Dioscorea''. The type specimen was collected in Brazil in 1994. The type specimen is damaged, but it appears to have palmate leaves with leaflets arranged in groups of five – a feat ...

'' R.Knuth * ''

Dioscorea aguilarii ''Dioscorea aguilarii'' is a herbaceous vine in the genus '' Dioscorea'' which is indigenous to El Salvador. The type specimen was collected in 1994 from an oak forest between Pena del Cuervo and Cerro El Yupe. References aguilarii ...

'' Standl. & Steyerm. * ''

Dioscorea alata ''Dioscorea alata'', also known as purple yam, ube (, ), or greater yam, among many other names, is a species of yam (a tuber). The tubers are usually a vivid violet-purple to bright lavender in color (hence the common name), but some range in ...

'' L. * ''

Dioscorea alatipes ''Dioscorea alatipes'' is a herbaceous vine in the genus '' Dioscorea''. It is indigenous to the Morondava Prefecture in Madagascar and is listed as an vulnerable on the IUCN Red List in 2017, having previously been listed as endangered in 2001. ...

'' Burkill & H.Perrier * '' Dioscorea althaeoides'' R.Knuth * ''

Dioscorea altissima ''Dioscorea altissima'' is a herbaceous vine in the genus ''Dioscorea'' that is indigenous to forested areas of Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Central America north to Panama, and the Caribbean. Its tubers are foraged and cooked for human consumption, an ...

'' Lam. * ''

Dioscorea amaranthoides ''Dioscorea amaranthoides'' is a herbaceous vine in the genus '' Dioscorea''. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Peru. One specimen was found in the vicinity of Machu Picchu, Peru in a forested area near water.http://img.brit.org/fcg ...

'' C.Presl * ''

Dioscorea amazonum ''Dioscorea amazonum'' is a herbaceous vine in the genus ''Dioscorea'' which is native to Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Panamá, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela. Specimens have been collected from forested areas next to roads an ...

'' Mart. ex Griseb. * '' Dioscorea amazonum var. klugii'' (R.Knuth) Ayala * '' Dioscorea amoena'' R.Knuth * '' Dioscorea analalavensis'' Jum. & H.Perrier * '' Dioscorea ancachsensis'' R.Knuth * '' Dioscorea andina'' Phil. * '' Dioscorea andromedusae'' O.Téllez * '' Dioscorea angustifolia'' Rusby * '' Dioscorea anomala'' Griseb. * '' Dioscorea antaly'' Jum. & H.Perrier * '' Dioscorea antucoana'' Uline ex R.Knuth * '' Dioscorea arachidna'' Prain & Burkill * '' Dioscorea araucana'' Phil. * '' Dioscorea arcuatinervis'' Hochr. * '' Dioscorea argyrogyna'' Uline ex R.Knuth * '' Dioscorea arifolia'' C.Presl * '' Dioscorea aristolochiifolia'' Poepp. * '' Dioscorea arnensis'' R. Knuth * '' Dioscorea asclepiadea'' Prain & Burkill * ''

Dioscorea aspera ''Dioscorea'' is a genus of over 600 species of flowering plants in the family Dioscoreaceae, native throughout the tropical and warm temperate regions of the world. The vast majority of the species are tropical, with only a few species extending ...

'' Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd. * '' Dioscorea aspersa'' Prain & Burkill * '' Dioscorea asperula'' Pedralli * '' Dioscorea asteriscus'' Burkill * '' Dioscorea atrescens'' R.Knuth * '' Dioscorea auriculata'' Poepp.

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 * '' Dioscorea bernoulliana'' Prain & Burkill * '' Dioscorea besseriana'' Kunth * '' Dioscorea beyrichii'' R.Knuth * '' Dioscorea bicolor'' Prain & Burkill * '' Dioscorea biformifolia'' S.J.Pei & C.T.Ting * '' Dioscorea biloba'' (Phil.) Caddick & Wilkin * '' Dioscorea biplicata'' R.Knuth * '' Dioscorea birmanica'' Prain & Burkill * '' Dioscorea birschelii'' Harms ex R.Knuth * '' Dioscorea blumei'' Prain & Burkill * '' Dioscorea bolivarensis'' Steyerm. * '' Dioscorea bonii'' Prain & Burkill * '' Dioscorea bosseri'' Haigh & Wilkin * '' Dioscorea brachybotrya'' Poepp. * '' Dioscorea brachystachya'' Phil. * '' Dioscorea bradei'' R.Knuth * '' Dioscorea brandisii'' Prain & Burkill * '' Dioscorea brevipetiolata'' Prain & Burkill * '' Dioscorea bridgesii'' Griseb. ex Kunth * ''

Dioscorea brownii ''Dioscorea'' is a genus of over 600 species of flowering plants in the family Dioscoreaceae, native throughout the tropical and warm temperate regions of the world. The vast majority of the species are tropical, with only a few species extending ...

'' Schinz * '' Dioscorea bryoniifolia'' Poepp. * '' Dioscorea buchananii'' Benth. * '' Dioscorea buckleyana'' Wilkin * ''

Dioscorea bulbifera ''Dioscorea bulbifera'' (commonly known as the air potato, air yam, bitter yam, cheeky yam, potato yam, aerial yam, and parsnip yam) is a species of true yam in the yam family, Dioscoreaceae. It is native to Africa, Asia and northern Australia. ...

'' L. * '' Dioscorea bulbotricha'' Hand.-Mazz. * '' Dioscorea burchellii'' Baker * '' Dioscorea burkilliana'' J.Miège

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 * '' Dioscorea carpomaculata'' O.Téllez & B.G.Schub. * ''

Dioscorea carpomaculata var. cinerea ''Dioscorea'' is a genus of over 600 species of flowering plants in the family Dioscoreaceae, native throughout the tropical and warm temperate regions of the world. The vast majority of the species are tropical, with only a few species extendin ...

Dioscorea communis ''Dioscorea communis'' or ''Tamus communis'' is a species of flowering plant in the yam family Dioscoreaceae and is commonly known as black bryony, lady's-seal or black bindweed. Description It is a climbing herbaceous plant growing to 2–4 m ...

'' (L.) Caddick & Wilkin * '' Dioscorea commutata'' R.Knuth * '' Dioscorea comorensis'' R.Knuth * ''

Dioscorea composita ''Dioscorea composita'', or barbasco, is a species of yam in the genus ''Dioscorea'', native to Mexico. It is notable for its role in the production of diosgenin, which is a precursor for the synthesis of hormones such as progesterone. Russell ...

'' Hemsl. * '' Dioscorea contracta'' R.Knuth * '' Dioscorea convolvulacea'' Cham. & Schltdl. * '' Dioscorea convolvulacea subsp. grandifolia'' (Schltdl.) Uline ex R.Knuth * '' Dioscorea conzattii'' R.Knuth * '' Dioscorea cordifolia'' Laness. * '' Dioscorea coreana'' (Prain & Burkill) R.Knuth * '' Dioscorea coriacea'' Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd. * '' Dioscorea coripatenis'' J.F.Macbr. * '' Dioscorea coronata'' Hauman * '' Dioscorea cotinifolia'' Kunth * '' Dioscorea craibiana'' Prain & Burkill * '' Dioscorea crateriflora'' R.Knuth * '' Dioscorea crotalariifolia'' Uline * '' Dioscorea cruzensis'' R.Knuth * '' Dioscorea cubensis'' R.Knuth * '' Dioscorea cumingii'' Prain & Burkill * '' Dioscorea curitybensis'' R.Knuth * '' Dioscorea cuspidata'' Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd. * '' Dioscorea cuyabensis'' R.Knuth * '' Dioscorea cyanisticta'' J.D.Sm. * '' Dioscorea cymosula'' Hemsl. * '' Dioscorea cyphocarpa'' C.B.Rob. ex Knuth

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.Knuth

E

* '' 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 ''Dioscorea esculenta'', commonly known as the lesser yam, is a yam species native to Island Southeast Asia and introduced to Near Oceania and East Africa by early Austronesian voyagers. It is grown for their edible tubers, though it has sma ...

'' (Lour.) Burkill * '' Dioscorea esquirolii'' Prain & Burkill * '' Dioscorea exalata'' C.T.Ting & M.C.Chang

F

* '' 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 ''Dioscorea'' is a genus of over 600 species of flowering plants in the family Dioscoreaceae, native throughout the tropical and warm temperate regions of the world. The vast majority of the species are tropical, with only a few species extending ...

'' 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.Knuth

G

* '' 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 ''Dioscorea'' is a genus of over 600 species of flowering plants in the family Dioscoreaceae, native throughout the tropical and warm temperate regions of the world. The vast majority of the species are tropical, with only a few species extending ...

'' R.Knuth * '' Dioscorea grata'' Prain & Burkill * '' Dioscorea gribinguiensis'' Baudon * '' Dioscorea grisebachii'' Kunth * '' Dioscorea guerrerensis'' R.Knuth * '' Dioscorea guianensis'' R.Knuth

H

* '' Dioscorea haenkeana'' C.Presl * '' Dioscorea hamiltonii'' Hook.f. * '' Dioscorea hassleriana'' Chodat * '' Dioscorea hastata'' Mill. * '' Dioscorea hastatissima'' Rusby * ''

'' Nees * '' Dioscorea hastiformis'' R.Knuth * '' Dioscorea haumanii'' Xifreda * '' Dioscorea havilandii'' Prain & Burkill * '' Dioscorea hebridensis'' R.Knuth * '' Dioscorea hemicrypta'' Burkill * '' Dioscorea hemsleyi'' Prain & Burkill * '' Dioscorea heptaneura'' Vell. * '' Dioscorea herbert-smithii'' Rusby * '' Dioscorea herzogii'' R.Knuth * '' Dioscorea heteropoda'' Baker * '' Dioscorea hexagona'' Baker * '' Dioscorea hieronymi'' Uline ex R.Knuth * '' Dioscorea hintonii'' R.Knuth * '' Dioscorea hirtiflora'' Benth. * '' Dioscorea hirtiflora subsp. orientalis'' Milne-Redh. * ''

Dioscorea hispida ''Dioscorea hispida'', also known as the Indian three-leaved yam, (Tagalog: nami) is a species of yam in the genus ''Dioscorea'', native to South and Southeast Asia. Known to be poisonous when fresh, careful processing is required to render it e ...

'' Dennst. * '' Dioscorea holmioidea'' Maury * '' Dioscorea hombuka'' H.Perrier * '' Dioscorea hondurensis'' R.Knuth * '' Dioscorea howardiana'' O.Téllez, B.G.Schub. & Geeta * '' Dioscorea humifusa'' Poepp. * '' Dioscorea humilis'' Bertero ex Colla * '' Dioscorea humilis subsp. polyanthes'' (F.Phil.) Viruel, Segarra & Villar * '' Dioscorea hunzikeri'' Xifreda

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.Knuth

J

* '' Dioscorea jaliscana'' S.Watson * '' Dioscorea jamesonii'' R.Knuth * ''

Dioscorea japonica ''Dioscorea japonica'', known as East Asian mountain yam, yamaimo, or Japanese mountain yam, is a type of yam (''Dioscorea'') native to Japan (including Ryukyu and Bonin Islands), Korea, China, Taiwan, and Assam. ''Dioscorea japonica'' is used ...

'' Thunb. - ''Shan yao'' in Chinese () * '' Dioscorea javariensis'' Ayala * '' Dioscorea juxtlahuacensis'' (O.Téllez & Dávila) Caddick & Wilkin

K

* '' 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 Kuntze

L

* '' 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'' Schauer

M

* '' 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 ''Dioscorea mexicana'', Mexican yam or ''cabeza de negro'' is a species of yam in the genus ''Dioscorea''. ''Dioscorea mexicana'' is a caudiciform dioscorea having either a partly to completely above-ground dome-shaped caudex with a thick, ...

'' 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 ''Dioscorea'' is a genus of over 600 species of flowering plants in the family Dioscoreaceae, native throughout the tropical and warm temperate regions of the world. The vast majority of the species are tropical, with only a few species extending ...

'' Mart. ex Griseb. * '' Dioscorea multiloba'' Kunth * '' Dioscorea multinervis'' Benth. * '' Dioscorea mundii'' Baker

N

* '' 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 ''Dioscorea'' is a genus of over 600 species of flowering plants in the family Dioscoreaceae, native throughout the tropical and warm temperate regions of the world. The vast majority of the species are tropical, with only a few species extending ...

'' Lam. * '' Dioscorea nutans'' R.Knuth

O

* '' Dioscorea oaxacensis'' Uline * '' Dioscorea obcuneata'' Hook.f. * '' Dioscorea oblonga'' Gleason * '' Dioscorea oblongifolia'' Rusby * '' Dioscorea obtusifolia'' Hook. & Arn. * '' Dioscorea olfersiana'' Klotzsch ex Griseb. * ''

Dioscorea oligophylla ''Dioscorea'' is a genus of over 600 species of flowering plants in the family Dioscoreaceae, native throughout the tropical and warm temperate regions of the world. The vast majority of the species are tropical, with only a few species extending ...

'' 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 ''Dioscorea'' is a genus of over 600 species of flowering plants in the family Dioscoreaceae, native throughout the tropical and warm temperate regions of the world. The vast majority of the species are tropical, with only a few species extendin ...

'' R.Knuth * '' Dioscorea ovata'' Vell. * '' Dioscorea ovinala'' Baker

P

* '' Dioscorea palawana'' Prain & Burkill * '' Dioscorea paleata'' Burkill * '' Dioscorea pallens'' Schltdl. * '' Dioscorea pallidinervia'' R.Knuth * '' Dioscorea palmeri'' R.Knuth * '' Dioscorea panamensis'' R.Knuth * ''

Dioscorea panthaica ''Dioscorea'' is a genus of over 600 species of flowering plants in the family Dioscoreaceae, native throughout the tropical and warm temperate regions of the world. The vast majority of the species are tropical, with only a few species extending ...

'' Prain & Burkill * '' Dioscorea pantojensis'' R.Knuth * ''

Dioscorea paradoxa ''Dioscorea'' is a genus of over 600 species of flowering plants in the family Dioscoreaceae, native throughout the tropical and warm temperate regions of the world. The vast majority of the species are tropical, with only a few species extending ...

'' Prain & Burkill * '' Dioscorea pavonii'' Uline ex R.Knuth * '' Dioscorea pedicellata'' Phil. * '' Dioscorea pencana'' Phil. * '' Dioscorea pendula'' Poepp. ex Kunth * ''

Dioscorea pentaphylla ''Dioscorea pentaphylla'' is a species of flowering plant in the yam family known by the common name fiveleaf yam. It is native to southern and eastern Asia ( China, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Philippines, etc.) as well as New Guinea and nort ...

'' 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 ''Dioscorea polystachya'' or Chinese yam ( zh, s=山药, t=山藥), also called cinnamon-vine, is a species of flowering plant in the yam family. It is sometimes called Chinese potato or by its Korean name ''ma''. It is a perennial climbing vin ...

Q

* '' Dioscorea quartiniana'' A.Rich. * '' Dioscorea quaternata'' J.F. Gmel. * '' Dioscorea quinquelobata'' Thunb. * '' Dioscorea quispicanchensis'' R.Knuth

R

* '' 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'' Uline

S

* ''

Dioscorea sabarensis ''Dioscorea'' is a genus of over 600 species of flowering plants in the family Dioscoreaceae, native throughout the tropical and warm temperate regions of the world. The vast majority of the species are tropical, with only a few species extendin ...

'' 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 ''Dioscorea'' is a genus of over 600 species of flowering plants in the family Dioscoreaceae, native throughout the tropical and warm temperate regions of the world. The vast majority of the species are tropical, with only a few species extending ...

'' 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 ''Dioscorea'' is a genus of over 600 species of flowering plants in the family Dioscoreaceae, native throughout the tropical and warm temperate regions of the world. The vast majority of the species are tropical, with only a few species extending ...

'' 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 ''Dioscorea'' is a genus of over 600 species of flowering plants in the family Dioscoreaceae, native throughout the tropical and warm temperate regions of the world. The vast majority of the species are tropical, with only a few species extending ...

'' R.Knuth * '' Dioscorea sylvatica'' Eckl. * '' Dioscorea synandra'' Uline * '' Dioscorea syringifolia'' (Kunth) Kunth & R.H.Schomb. ex R.Knuth

T

Dioscorea transversa ''Dioscorea transversa'', the pencil yam, is a vine of eastern and northern Australia. The leaves are heart-shaped, shiny, with 5-7 prominent veins. The seed pods are rounded, green or pink before drying to a straw brown papery texture. The ed ...

'' 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 ''Dioscorea'' is a genus of over 600 species of flowering plants in the family Dioscoreaceae, native throughout the tropical and warm temperate regions of the world. The vast majority of the species are tropical, with only a few species extending ...

'' 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'' Matuda

V

* '' Dioscorea valdiviensis'' R.Knuth * ''

Dioscorea vanvuurenii ''Dioscorea'' is a genus of over 600 species of flowering plants in the family Dioscoreaceae, native throughout the tropical and warm temperate regions of the world. The vast majority of the species are tropical, with only a few species extending ...

'' Prain & Burkill * '' Dioscorea variifolia'' Bertero * '' Dioscorea velutipes'' Prain & Burkill * '' Dioscorea vexans'' Prain & Burkill * '' Dioscorea vilis'' Kunth * ''

Dioscorea villosa ''Dioscorea villosa'' is a species of twining tuberous vine which is native to eastern North America. It is commonly known as wild yam, colic root, rheumatism root, devil's bones, and fourleaf yam,. It is common and widespread in a range stretchi ...

'' 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.Knuth

X

* '' Dioscorea xizangensis'' C.T.Ting

Y

* '' Dioscorea yunnanensis'' Prain & Burkill

Z

* '' 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 ''Dioscorea communis'' or ''Tamus communis'' is a species of flowering plant in the yam family Dioscoreaceae and is commonly known as black bryony, lady's-seal or black bindweed. Description It is a climbing herbaceous plant growing to 2–4 m ...

''.

References

Bibliography

Flora Europaea: ''Dioscorea''

Flora of Pakistan: ''Dioscorea''
* Schols, P. 2004. Contributions to the palynology and phylogeny of Dioscorea (Dioscoreaceae). PhD thesis KU Leuven. {{DEFAULTSORT:Dioscorea Dioscoreales genera Tubers Dioecious plants