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Summary
Physical Characteristics
Dioscorea deltoidea is a PERENNIAL CLIMBER growing to 3 m (9ft 10in). It is in flower from September to October. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). . The plant is not self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Habitats
Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Cultivated Beds;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Root
Edible Uses:
Tuber - cooked[2, 177]. A slightly bitter flavour, it is usually boiled with some wood ash in order to remove the bitterness[272]. Some caution is advised. See notes below on other uses of the root and above on toxicity.
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Contraceptive Miscellany Parasiticide
The juice of the root tuber istaken in the evening in the treatment of roundworm[272]. It is also used to alleviate constipation[272]. The roots of most, if not all, members of this genus, contains diosgenin[222, 240]. This is widely used in modern medicine in order to manufacture progesterone and other steroid drugs. These are used as contraceptives and in the treatment of various disorders of the genitary organs as well as in a host of other diseases such as asthma and arthritis[222]. The roots of this species contain an average of 4.8% diosgenin[240].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
Miscellany Parasiticide Soap
A soap is obtained from the tuber[145]. This soap is due to the presence of poisonous saponins in the root[240, K]. The soap is also used as a body wash to kill lice[145, 240].
Special Uses
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain. It is unlikely to succeed in any but the mildest areas. It is cultivated for its edible root in India[2]. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Easily grown in a fertile well-drained soil in a sunny position or light shade[200]. Prefers a rich light soil[1]. Plants produce tubercles (small tubers that are formed in the leaf axils of the stems), and can be propagated by this means[K]. A climbing plant that supports itself by twining around the branches of other plants[219]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
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Propagation
Seed - sow March to April in a sunny position in a warm greenhouse and only just cover. It germinates in 1 - 3 weeks at 20°c[175]. Prick out the seedlings as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow on in a greenhouse for their first year. Plant out in late spring as the plant comes into new growth. Basal stem cuttings in the summer[37]. Division in the dormant season, never when in growth[1]. The plant will often produce a number of shoots, the top 5 - 10 cm of the root below each shoot can be potted up to form a new plant whilst the lower part of the root can possibly be eaten[K]. Tubercles (baby tubers) are formed in the leaf axils. These are harvested in late summer and early autumn when about the size of a pea and coming away easily from the plant. They should be potted up immediately in individual pots in a greenhouse or cold frame. Plant out in early summer when in active growth[K].
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
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Found In
Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :
| Related Plants
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| Latin Name | Common Name | Habit | Height | Hardiness | Growth | Soil | Shade | Moisture | Edible | Medicinal | Other |
| Dioscorea alata | Water Yam, Purple yam, Greater yam, White yam | Perennial Climber | 15.0 |
10-12
| F | LMH | S | M | 4 | 1 | 2 |
| Dioscorea batatas | Chinese Yam | Perennial | 3.0 |
4-11
| | LMH | SN | M | 5 | 5 | 3 |
| Dioscorea bulbifera | Aerial Yam, Air Potato | Perennial Climber | 10.0 |
9-12
| F | LMH | SN | M | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Dioscorea cayennensis | Yellow Yam, Yellow Guinea yam | Perennial Climber | 10.0 |
10-12
| F | LM | SN | M | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Dioscorea esculenta | Lesser Yam, Potato Yam, Chinese Yam, Wild Yam | Perennial Climber | 3.0 |
8-12
| F | LM | SN | M | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Dioscorea japonica | Glutinous Yam, Japanese yam | Perennial Climber | 3.0 |
7-12
| | LMH | N | M | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Dioscorea kamoonensis | | Perennial Climber | 2.5 |
-
| | LMH | N | M | 2 | 1 | |
| Dioscorea tokoro | | Perennial Climber | 0.0 |
-
| | LMH | N | M | 2 | 2 | |
| Dioscorea trifida | Cush Cush Yam, Sweet yam | Perennial Climber | 3.0 |
10-12
| F | LMH | SN | M | 4 | 0 | 2 |
| Dioscorea villosa | Wild Yam | Perennial Climber | 3.0 |
5-9
| | LMH | N | M | 2 | 4 | |
| Tamus communis | Black Bryony | Perennial Climber | 3.5 |
4-8
| M | LMH | SN | M | 1 | 2 | |
|
Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
Expert comment
Author
Wall. ex Griseb.
Botanical References
266
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