Wild Yam

Scientific Name:   Dioscorea villosa


Main distinguishing characteristics of Wild Yam versus Chinese Yam include vines that twine right to left, pubescence present on the upper leaf surfaces, and the absence of aerial tubers. Herbaceous (non-woody) monocot. Dioecious (male and female flowers on separate plants).

Tentative Identification.


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Wild Yam

Genus species: Dioscorea villosa
Common Name: Wild Yam
Family Name: Dioscoreaceae  
Perennial, twining herbs from a thick rhizome; leaves simple, cordate to hastate with parallel veins converging at apex, on long petioles; flowers unisexual (plants dioecious), regular, in axillary spikes or panicles; fruit a 3-winged capsule; family includes both edible and poisonous species.
Seed Type: Angiosperm
Origin:  
Native: native to North America.
Non-native: not native to North America.
Introduced Native: native to North
America, but not Rowe Woods.
* Definitions based on the USDA
terminology
Native
Category:Vine
Flower Color:White Yellow
Identified by:A. Swanson
Months in Bloom:  
The highlighted month(s) in this chart indicates the month(s) the plant has been observed blooming.
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

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