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Dioscorea luzonensis

Schauer

Dioscoreaceae Edible: Tubers, Root

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Wikimedia Commons - UPLB MNH Digital Archives

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Wikimedia Commons - UPLB MNH Digital Archives

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Description

A yam with a twining vine with arrow shaped leaves. It twines to the right. The tubers are round and 5 cm across. The tubers can be 1 m deep in the soil. The flesh is white or pink. The stems do not have spines. The leaves are simple and usually alternate. The leaf stalk is as long as the blade. The leaf is heart shaped. It is 15 cm long and 12 cm across. The small flowers occur in spikes which grow in clusters from the axils of leaves. The male flowers curve upwards. There are 2-4 together. They are 7 cm long with about 60 flowers which do not have stalks. The female flower stalks are 22 cm long. The fruit are divided into thin half round lobes with thin winged seeds.

Edible Uses

Tubers - cooked. Used like potatoes. The white or pinkish-white flesh is succulent. The tubers can be 1 metre long.

Traditional Uses

The tubers are cooked and eaten.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

A tropical plant. In the Philippines found in Ilocos, Norte, Bontoc and Lepanto, Mt Province, La Union, Bulacan, Zambales, Rizal, Laguna and Batangas.

Where It Grows

Asia, Pacific, Philippines, SE Asia,

Notes

There are about 650 species of Dioscorea.

Nutrition

PartMoisturekJkcalProteinVit AVit CIronZinc
Tuber74.7405972.5180.7

Also Known As

Kamangeg, Kamengeg, Mayat-bang, Pakit

References (8)

  • Antonio, M. A., et al, 2011. Survey and Characterization of Indigenous Food Plants in Ilocos Norte, Philippines, SEARCA Agricultural & Development Discussion Papr Series No. 2011-2
  • Brown, W.H., 1920, Wild Food Plants of the Philippines. Bureau of Forestry Bulletin No. 21 Manila. p 31
  • Ferns, Useful Tropical Plants
  • Maghirang, R. G., et al, 2018. Ethnobotanical Studies of Some Plants Commonly Used as Vegetables in Selected Provinces of the Philippines. Journal of Nature Studies. 17(2), 30-43.
  • Menisa, A. A., et al, 2012, Survey and characterization of Indigenous Food Plants in Ilocos Norte, Philippines. SEARCA Discussion Paper series No. 2011-2
Show all 8 references
  • Monsalud, M.R., Tongacan, A.L., Lopez, F.R., & Lagrimas, M.Q., 1966, Edible Wild Plants in Philippine Forests. Philippine Journal of Science. p 460
  • PROSEA handbook Volume 9 Plants yielding non-seed carbohydrates. p 172
  • World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

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