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Summary
Physical Characteristics
Dioscorea villosa is a PERENNIAL CLIMBER growing to 3 m (9ft 10in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. 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 cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Dioscorea cliffortiana Lam. Dioscorea hexaphylla Raf. Merione villosa (L.) Salisb.
Plant Habitats
Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Cultivated Beds;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Root
Edible Uses:
Tuber - cooked[177]. Some caution should be exercised with this plant. See 'Medicinal Uses' for more information.
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.
Antiinflammatory Antirheumatic Antispasmodic Cholagogue Contraceptive Diaphoretic Homeopathy Vasodilator
Wild yam roots, and the roots of many other members of the genus, contains diosgenin[222]. 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, 254]. The roots are anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, cholagogue, diaphoretic and vasodilator[165, 238]. They are also a visceral relaxant[165]. This plant affords one of the best and fastest cures for bilious colic, it is especially helpful in treating the nausea of pregnant women[4] and has been used to ease the pain of childbirth[257]. It is also taken internally in the treatment of arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, gastritis, gall bladder complaints, painful menstruation etc[238]. The root is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[238]. The root should not be stored for longer than 1 year, since it is likely to lose its medicinal virtues[4]. Caution is advised in the use of the this plant, when taken fresh it can cause vomiting and other side effects[222]. The root, harvested in September, is used to make a homeopathic remedy[232]. Its main use is in the treatment of infant colic[232].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
An easily grown plant, succeeding in a fertile well-drained soil in a sunny position or light shade[200]. Prefers a rich light soil[1]. Plants are hardy to at least -15°c[238]. 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]. This is a highly polymorphic species, some botanists dividing it up into several species[235, 270]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:
Fahrenheit:
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Plant 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
Native Range
NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (Ontario), United States (Connecticut, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Iowa, Kansas (east), Minnesota (southeast), Missouri, Nebraska (southeast), Illinois, Oklahoma (east), Wisconsin, Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Texas)
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
|
| 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 deltoidea | Yam | Perennial Climber | 3.0 |
-
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 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 |
| 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
L.
Botanical References
43235
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Readers comment
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