Dioscorea

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Dioscorea polygonoides)
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Dioscorea
File:Dioscorea balcanica BotGardBln310505.jpg
Dioscorea balcanica
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Dioscoreales
Family: Dioscoreaceae
Genus: Dioscorea
L.
Sections
  • Botryosicyos
  • Combilium
  • Enantiophyllum
  • Lasiophyton
  • Macroura
    • Macrourae
  • Macrogynodium
  • Opsophyton
    • Euopsophyton
  • Shannicorea
  • Stenophora

(Not all are supported by molecular analyses.[1] See tropicos query cited for more.[2])

Synonyms[3]
  • Tamus L.
  • Ricophora Mill.
  • Tamnus Mill.
  • Oncus Lour.
  • Ubium J.F.Gmel.
  • Oncorhiza Pers.
  • Testudinaria Salisb. ex Burch.
  • Rhizemys Raf.
  • Botryosicyos Hochst.
  • Helmia Kunth
  • Sismondaea Delponte
  • Epipetrum Phil.
  • Borderea Miégev.
  • Elephantodon Salisb.
  • Hamatris Salisb.
  • Merione Salisb.
  • Polynome Salisb.
  • Strophis Salisb.
  • Higinbothamia Uline
  • Nanarepenta Matuda
  • Hyperocarpa (Uline) G.M.Barroso, E.F.Guim. & Sucre

Dioscorea is a genus of over 600 species of flowering plants in the family Dioscoreaceae, native throughout the tropical and warm temperate regions of the world. The vast majority of the species are tropical, with only a few species extending into temperate climates.[3][4][5][6] It was named by the monk Charles Plumier after the ancient Greek physician and botanist Dioscorides.

Description

[edit | edit source]

They are tuberous herbaceous perennial lianas, growing to 2–12 metres (6.6–39.4 ft) or more tall. The leaves are spirally arranged, mostly broad heart-shaped. The flowers are individually inconspicuous, greenish-yellow, with six petals; they are mostly dioecious, with separate male and female plants, though a few species are monoecious, with male and female flowers on the same plant. The fruit is a capsule in most species, a soft berry in a few species.[7][8]

Most Dioscorea species that have been examined possess extrafloral nectaries at the petiole or leaf underside.[9]

Cultivation and uses

[edit | edit source]

Several species, known as yams, are important agricultural crops in tropical regions, grown for their large tubers. Many of these are toxic when fresh, but can be detoxified and eaten, and are particularly important in parts of Africa, Asia, and Oceania.

One class of toxins found in many species is steroidal saponins, which can be converted through a series of chemical reactions into steroid hormones for use in medicine and as contraceptives.

The 1889 book "The Useful Native Plants of Australia" records that Dioscorea hastifolia is "One of the hardiest of the yams. The tubers are largely consumed by the local aborigines for food. (Mueller)."[10]

Accepted species, subspecies, and varieties

[edit | edit source]

The genus includes the following species and subspecies:[citation needed]

A

[edit | edit source]

B

[edit | edit source]

C

[edit | edit source]

D

[edit | edit source]

E

[edit | edit source]

F

[edit | edit source]

G

[edit | edit source]

H

[edit | edit source]

I

[edit | edit source]

J

[edit | edit source]

K

[edit | edit source]

L

[edit | edit source]

M

[edit | edit source]

N

[edit | edit source]

O

[edit | edit source]

P

[edit | edit source]

Q

[edit | edit source]

R

[edit | edit source]

S

[edit | edit source]

T

[edit | edit source]

U

[edit | edit source]

V

[edit | edit source]

W

[edit | edit source]

X

[edit | edit source]

Y

[edit | edit source]

Z

[edit | edit source]

The closely related genus Tamus is included in Dioscorea by some sources,[13] but is maintained as distinct by others.[14] For Dioscorea communis (L.) Caddick & Wilkin, see Tamus communis.

See also

[edit | edit source]

References

[edit | edit source]
  1. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  2. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  3. ^ a b Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  4. ^ Govaerts, R., Wilkin, P. & Saunders, R.M.K. (2007). World Checklist of Dioscoreales. Yams and their allies: 1-65. The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
  5. ^ Wilkin, P. & Thapyai, C. (2009). Flora of Thailand 10(1): 1-140. The Forest Herbarium, National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department, Bangkok.
  6. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  7. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  8. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  9. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  10. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  11. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  12. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  13. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value)., search for "Tamus"
  14. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value)., p. 854

Bibliography

[edit | edit source]
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Dioscorea.
File:Wikispecies-logo.svg
Wikispecies has information related to Dioscorea.

Lua error in Module:Taxonbar at line 165: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).

Retrieved from "http://70.231.62.181/index.php?title=Dioscorea&oldid=1271100"