Tuesday, June 11, 2024

Dioscorea bulbifera L.

 

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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