Dioscorea villosa aka Wild Yam

Taxonomy

Dioscorea villosa, also known as wild yam, is a twining tuberous vine that is native to the eastern part of North America. Its range stretches from Texas and Florida all the way up to Minnesota, Ontario, and Massachusetts. This species is quite variable in shape and can range from a small vine with winged stems and hairy leaves to large vines with unwinged stems, smooth leaves, and widely spread sprays of flowers. Wild yam is a perennial vine found in moist forests and woodlands and individual plants are either male or female. Male flowers appear in clusters of 1 to 3 along the branches, while female flowers appear on racemes of 5-15 flowers that develop from the leaf axils. The female flowers are replaced by capsules that contain 1-2 seeds. Dioscorea villosa is also commonly known as colic root, rheumatism root, devil's bones, and fourleaf yam, and always has rhizomes spreading underground that can be branched or not.

Common names

Wild Yam, Chinaroot, Colic Root

How to care for Wild Yam

Difficulty

Wild Yam is a low-maintenance plant that requires minimal attention, making it an excellent choice for beginners.

Water

Wild Yam should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Wild Yam loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Wild Yam requires abundant, bright and direct light. Placing it less than one foot from a window is the best way to make sure the plant receives enough light to survive and thrive. Depending on your region, however, the current weather can affect the placement of the plant in your home. For example, in some areas the sun may be too direct and intense, so it's best to place it farther away from the window. You may also need to adjust your placement according to the season as the sunlight can change intensity over the course of the year. If you live in a region with significant temperature fluctuations, such as a desert, you may need to place the plant a bit farther away from the window to avoid extreme heat or cold. With some care and attention, your Wild Yam will be sure to bring you many years of beauty and enjoyment.

Toxicity

Ploi does not possess verified information regarding the toxicity of this particular plant. In the event that you, a member of your family, or a pet ingests plant material with an unclear toxicity level, it is highly recommended to seek the advice of a medical professional.

Region of origin

Wild Yam’s native range is Eastern N. America - New England to Minnesota and Ontario, south to Virginia and Texas.


More info:
Wikipedia