Dioscorea deltoidea

Wall. ex Griseb.

Nepal yam

DioscoreaceaeRootsPotential hazards — see below

iNaturalist · cc-by
(c) Ramnarayan K, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ramnarayan K

iNaturalist · cc-by
(c) Ramnarayan K, some rights reserved (CC BY)

What to Eat

Edible parts: Root, Tuber, Bulbils

The tuber is eaten cooked and has a slightly bitter flavour. It is usually boiled with some wood ash to remove the bitterness. Some caution is advised given the plant's toxicity and its other uses related to the root.

Known Hazards

Where to Find It

A tropical and subtropical plant. It grows in broad leafed forest between 2000 and 3100 m altitude in Southern China. They grow throughout Nepal from 300-3000 m altitude. They grow in moist open places. In Yunnan.

Asia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pakistan, SE Asia, Sikkim, Thailand, Vietnam,

Countries: United Arab Emirates, Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Brunei, Bhutan, China, Georgia, Indonesia, Israel, India, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Cambodia, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Laos, Lebanon, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Mongolia, Maldives, Malaysia, Nepal, Oman, Philippines, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Syria, Thailand, Tajikistan, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Turkey, Taiwan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yemen

How to Identify

A yam. It is a climbing herb. The rhizome lies horizontal and is ginger shaped. It is 1.2-1.5 cm thick. The stem winds left. The leaves are alternate. They are 6-12 cm long by 5.5-10 cm wide. They are broadly oval to heart shaped. They are long pointed. There are 5-7 veins. The male flowers are single, small and white. The female flowers are single and slender. The fruit is a capsule.

How to Grow

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. 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. Prefers a rich light soil. Plants produce tubercles (small tubers that are formed in the leaf axils of the stems), and can be propagated by this means. A climbing plant that supports itself by twining around the branches of other plants. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

Propagation: Sow seed in March to April in a sunny position in a warm greenhouse, just barely covered. Germination takes 1–3 weeks at 20°C. Prick out seedlings as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow on in the greenhouse for their first year. Plant out in late spring as new growth begins. Basal stem cuttings can be taken in summer. Divide in the dormant season only — never when in growth. The plant often produces multiple shoots; the top 5–10cm of root beneath each shoot can be potted up to form a new plant, while the lower portion may be eaten. Tubercles forming in the leaf axils are harvested in late summer to early autumn when approximately pea-sized and detaching easily. Pot them up immediately into individual containers in a greenhouse or cold frame, then plant out in early summer when in active growth.

Medicinal Uses

Root juice is taken in the evening to treat roundworm and is also used to alleviate constipation. The roots, like those of most or all members of this genus, contain diosgenin, which is widely used in modern medicine to manufacture progesterone and other steroid drugs. These are employed as contraceptives and in treating disorders of the genital organs, as well as conditions such as asthma and arthritis. The roots of this species contain an average of 4.8% diosgenin.

Other Uses

A soap is obtained from the tuber, derived from the poisonous saponins present in the root. This soap is also used as a body wash to kill lice.

Wikipedia

Source ↗

Dioscorea deltoidea, the Nepal yam, is a species of flowering plant in the family Dioscoreaceae. Its native range is the Himalayas through to south-central China and mainland Southeast Asia. Its tubers contain diosgenin and are harvested by local peoples as a treatment for a variety of conditions, including gastrointestinal disorders and intestinal worms. Tubers are also eaten after boiling, washing, and baking. It grows in forests and humus-rich soils.

Other Information

It is sold in local markets.

Names & Synonyms

Aruwa, Ban tarul, Bhyakur, Bloin, Eghen ngenki, Gun, Gune kauro, Kamanduki, Kande vyakur, Keerish, Kencheong sangrik, Kildri, Kins, Kithi, Kitra, Kniss, Krish, Kriss, Kui goi, Kukur tarul, Kurkurtarul, Kurukanda, Luanba, Peng-khe, Ridme, Rua ba, San jiao ye shu yu, Saplokha, Singli mingli, Tar, Tarul, Tarur, Temee, Thaphu miyung, Vaykur, Vyakur

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