General Plant Information (Edit)
Plant Habit: Vine
Life cycle: Perennial
Sun Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Water Preferences: Mesic
Soil pH Preferences: Slightly acid (6.1 – 6.5)
Neutral (6.6 – 7.3)
Slightly alkaline (7.4 – 7.8)
Minimum cold hardiness: Zone 9a -6.7 °C (20 °F) to -3.9 °C (25 °F)
Maximum recommended zone: Zone 11
Plant Height: 25 - 50 feet
Plant Spread: 3 - 6 feet
Fruit: Other: 1 - 2 inch three lobed, flattened capsules; each containing 2 winged seeds.
Flowers: Showy
Flower Color: Yellow
Other: Yellowish-white
Bloom Size: Under 1"
Underground structures: Tuber
Uses: Will Naturalize
Edible Parts: Roots
Eating Methods: Cooked
Resistances: Humidity tolerant
Propagation: Other methods: Cuttings: Root
Division
Containers: Suitable in 3 gallon or larger
Needs excellent drainage in pots
Miscellaneous: Dioecious

Image
Common names
  • Winged Yam
  • White Yam
  • Water Yam
  • Purple Yam
  • Ube
  • Greater Yam
Botanical names
  • Accepted: Dioscorea alata
  • Synonym: Dioscorea globosa
  • Synonym: Dioscorea rubella
  • Synonym: Dioscorea purpurea
  • Synonym: Dioscorea atropurpurea

Photo Gallery
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Date: 2022-01-18
Winged Yam (Dioscorea alata) the purple mountain yam was called i
Location: Savannah, Georgia, USA
Date: 2014-06-20

illustration from «Naturgeschichte des Pflanzenreichs», table X
Location: Malaya
Photo courtesy of:  Sajetpa
Location: Malaya
Date: 2012-05-19
Photo courtesy of:  MLW-2013
Location: Mindanao, Philippines
Date: 2011-05-13
Photo courtesy of: Obsidian Soul

Date: 2009-09-24
Photo courtesy of: Deepugn
Location: Maui, Maui Nui Botanical Garden
Date: 2006-11-06
Photo courtesy of: Forest & Kim Starr http://www.starrenvironment

Date: 2006-11-06
Photo courtesy of:  Forest & Kim Starr http://www.starrenvironmen
Comments:
  • Posted by jmorth (central Illinois) on Jan 7, 2012 3:08 PM concerning plant:
    Originally from India and the South Pacific islands. Important tropical food plant.
    Tuberous roots can attain amazing proportions, many feet long and weighing in at over 100 pounds.

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