Several species within the Dioscorea genus produce edible tubers which are called yams. They grow as lianas that can become 2 to 12 meter tall. Yams are common in West Africa and New Guinea.
Important yam species include Dioscorea rotundata, D. cayenensis, D. alata, D. opposita, D. bulbifera, D. esculenta, D. trifida and D. dumetorum.
Sometimes the sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) is called yam, which can create some confusion.
Names
Scientific
Dioscorea spp.
English
Yam
Dutch
Yam
Spanish
Ñame
French
Igname
German
Yam
Yamswurzel
Italian
Igname
Yam
Taxonomy
Genus
Dioscorea
Family
Dioscoreaceae
Order
Dioscoreales
Crop categories
Vegetables
Tuber vegetables
Food crops
Tropical crops
Staple food