Chinese yam

Dioscorea batatas

Climber3×1.5 mzone 5–10partial shade🍎 Edible

Profile

Family: Dioscoreaceae
Habit: Climber
Height: 3 m
Spread: 1.5 m
Growth: fast
Lifespan: 15 years
First yield: after 1 year
Hardiness: zone 5–10
Shade tolerance: partial shade
Soil: Sand, Silt, Loam
Soil moisture: semi-dry – very moist
pH: 5.6 – 7.6

scented

Uses

Edible8 of 10

Medicinal8 of 10

Other uses1 of 10

Origin & habitat

Temperate East Asia, with exact distribution range not known.

In China it occurs in seemingly untouched nature in valleys and on mountainsides. Prefers sunny slopes in the wild.

⚠️ Hazards

Toxicity: slightly toxic

This is no substitute for expert identification. When in doubt, do not eat it.

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