Rank Species | Genus Dioscorea Higher classification Dioscorea | |
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Similar Dioscorea, Purple yam, Canna discolor, Dioscorea bulbifera, Yam (vegetable) | ||
Dioscorea esculenta, commonly known as the Lesser Yam, is a yam species, but with a smaller corm than most other yams. It is closer in size to a potato or sweet potato. In Vietnam, it is called khoai từ or củ từ. It is used to make chè củ từ, also referred to as chè khoai từ. In Tagalog, it is known as tuge. It is cultivated in Kerala,goa, konkan parts of maharashtra India. In Malayalam, it is known as "Nana Kizhangu" or Cheruvalli Kizhangu" or Cheru Kizhangu". in goa in konkani its called khat khondghi, It is a climber which needs support and goes coiling around the support. The corm is edible.
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Taxonomy
Belonging to the genus Dioscorea, Dioscorea esculenta describes the plants ability to produce edible roots, known as yams, also known as chinese yam, as it is mostly grown in Asia. Due to the fact that it is fast going to extinction, the species is known as hungry yam among agronomists.
Description
The plant's stems are round and thin, with big, black compound spines that are 2–4 cm long. The leaves are soft, heart-shaped, and 5–8 cm long and 6–8 cm wide.
