Family: Dioscoreaceae
Synonym: Helmia bulbifera (L.) Kunth, Dioscorea anthropophagorum A.Chev.
Vernacular name: Kaacchil, Pannikizhangu, Alanthal, Kattukachil, Nukappa
Habit: Herb
Habitat: Moist deciduous forests, also in the plains
Distribution: Paleotropics
Flowering and Fruiting: September-October
Key identification features: Air yam is a large vine. It produces tubers; however the bulbils which grow at the base of its leaves are the more important food product. Male flowers on pendent inflorescence, from bracteate (rarely leafy) stems, whitish or pinkish; female flowers on pendent axillary inflorescences.
Uses:
Root tubers are eaten cooked as vegetable during winter. Used as contraceptives,
treatment of piles, dysentery, syphilis, ulcers, tuberculosis, leprosy, cough
and diabetes.
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