DIOSCOREA ALATA
Author:
Carl Linnaeus, 1753
Family:
DIOSCOREACEAE
Origin:
Assam, Bangladesh, Bismarck Archipelago, Borneo, Cambodia, Christmas Island, East Himalaya, India, Indonesia, Java, Lesser Sunda Islands, Malaya, Myanmar, Nepal, New Guinea, Philippines, Sulawesi, Sumatra, Thailand, Vietnam
Elevation:
Publisher:
Sp. Pl.: 1033 (1753)
Collection number:
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Thickness:
60 Centimetres
Height:
8 Meters
Propagate:
Seeds/Rhizomes/"Air Potatoes"
CITES:
Synonyms:
Dioscorea atropurpurea William Roxburgh, 1832.
Dioscorea colocasiifolia Pax.
Dioscorea globosa W. Roxburgh, 1832.
Dioscorea purpurea W. Roxburgh, 1832.
Dioscorea rubella W. Roxburgh, 1832.
Show more (8)
Dioscorea sapinii De Wildemann.
Dioscorea sativa Munro, 1844.
Dioscorea eburina, Lour.
Dioscorea eburnea, Lour.
Dioscorea javanica, Queva
Dioscorea vulgaris, Miq.
Elephantodon eburnea, Salisb.
Polynome alata, Salisb.
This member of the Dioscoreaceae family originates from Asia, but has been brought around the world, first by Arab traders, later by other traders, and remain a popular crop. It was given this name by Carl Linnaeus in 1753. It will grow in a rich but drained soil with some to lots of water and some sun. The clusters of rhizomes can grow large and each reach up to 60 centimetres in some parts of the world. In other, they grow more like potatoes, reaching six centimetres each. The vines can reach ten meters, and the flowers are white to crème coloured. I doubt the single rhizome will last for many years, or if they appreciate to be exposed. Dioscorea is named after Pedianos Dioscorides, a Greek physician if the 1st century A.D. The species means 'winged' for the fruits.
Flower
White - Crème Coloured
Soil
Rich Drained
Water
Medium - Maximum
Sun
Medium
