Dioscorea polystachya aka Chinese Yam

Dioscorea polystachya, commonly known as Chinese yam, is a climbing vine that belongs to the yam family. It is native to East Asia and is sometimes referred to as cinnamon-vine, Chinese potato, or by its Korean name ma. In Mandarin, it is known as huaishan, and in Cantonese, it is called waisan. The tubers of this plant are edible and are cultivated primarily in Asia, although they are also used in alternative medicine. One unique characteristic of this yam species is that its tubers can be eaten raw. While yams are a crucial food crop in tropical regions, true yams are often confused with sweet potatoes, which Americans commonly refer to as yams. The true yam, which belongs to the Dioscorea species, differs significantly from sweet potatoes in terms of appearance, taste, texture, and color. Chinese Yam is a rare houseplant that requires regular watering and thrives in direct light that is less than one foot from a window. It grows best in well-draining soil and benefits from organic fertilizer during the peak growing season. The plant belongs to the Dioscorea genus and is native to Central and South China and Kuril Islands to Taiwan.