Dioscorea praehensilis
Benth.
Forest yam, Bush yam
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Howard, W.; Lowe, E. J. (via Wikimedia Commons)
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Ibrahima MANDE
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Ibrahima MANDE
gbif· cc-by-sa
Ibrahima MANDE
Summary
Source: WikipediaDioscorea praehensilis is a species of yam in the genus Dioscorea native to Africa. It is the wild progenitor of the West African domesticated crops Dioscorea rotundata and Dioscorea cayennensis. It is a liana with an edible tuber root found in African rainforests and seasonal tropical forests. The roots reach their maximum starch reserves during the dry season. The species renews its stems every year at the start of the rainy season.
Description
A yam. It is a climbing herb. The vines are 8-15 m long. It produces one tuber each year. This is 5 cm across and 60 cm long. It extends down into the ground. The stems twine to the right. It has pale brown prickles. These are more common near the base. The leaves are opposite. They are 4-10 cm long by 3-5 cm wide. They are heart shaped at the base. The leaves are entire and taper to the tip. The tip can be long. The tubers develop annually. The flowers are in a spike in the axils of leaves. Male and female flowers are separate and female flowers hang down.
Edible Uses
The tubers are cooked and eaten as a starchy staple, though they can be bitter and require careful preparation—peeling and soaking before use. Young tubers are preferred. The young leaves are also eaten.
Traditional Uses
The tubers are cooked and eaten as a starchy staple. The tubers can be bitter and then need careful preparation. They need to be peeled and soaked before using. Young tubers are chosen. The young leaves are also recorded as eaten. (Caution)
Medicinal Uses
The boiled tuber is taken in order to accelerate childbirth, and sometimes to relieve rheumatism. An infusion prepared from the older stem is used to treat stomach complaints, urethral discharge and oedema.
Known Hazards
The tubers can be bitter and require careful preparation. Young leaves should be used with caution.
Distribution
A tropical plant. It grows in forest and grassland. In Central Africa it grows from 600-1,700 m altitude. It grows in drier areas. In Malawi it grows at 600-700 m altitude. In Tanzania it grows between 800-1,800 m above sea level It grows in areas with rainfall between 1,400-2,400 mm. It is best in humus rich soil.
Where It Grows
Africa, Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Congo DR, Congo R, Côte d'Ivoire, East Africa, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Southern Africa, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe,
Cultivation
A piece of the tuber is used for replanting. It is best with a support to climb over.
Production
Tubers are harvested soon after the end of the rainy season. They can be sliced, dried and powdered and stored for several months.
Other Information
It is the most important edible yam of Southern Africa. It is a staple food in Benin. It is cultivated.
Notes
There are about 650 species of Dioscorea.
Synonyms
Also Known As
Aduaka, Amakolongo, Amejko, Amengese, Anga, Ayu, Barafe, Batafo-nto, Begpegu, Bga, Biatenda, Bilungu, Bisadi, Bosondi, Busa, Canhambo, Dian-fasaka, Dolohom, Doyar daji, Endale, Entut, Esia, Etete, Fasaka, Ikoni, Ikuse, Inhame, Itiguligwa, Itugu, Kango, Kawon, Kia makaka, Kigonzo, Kisadi, Kiya, Kobo, Kpegu, Lilungu, Luliga, Mitoto, Modo, Mole, Mpama, Mulugu, Muoli, Mupama, N'pabe, Ndiga, Ndoo, Nsende za nkaka, Nsende za sadi, Nyambi ala, Saba, Sapa, Senssa, Sinsa, Sopere, Tite, Umpabe, Welo
References (47)
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