Dioscorea alata L.
Probably a species of Yam, such as Dioscorea alata, with edible roots. Dioscorea alata is a tuberous perennial, the tubers sometimes very large, weighing up to 40kg and 2 m or more in length. Widely grown as a food source in the Pacific Islands. [RHSD, Hortus].
Horticultural & Botanical History
Introduced to Britain in 1739. [JD].
History at Camden Park
It was probably sent as seed or tubers from Tahiti by Bidwill and raised by Macarthur. A plant was presented to the Sydney Botanic Gardens by William Macarthur on November 1st 1847. [RBGS AB].
Notes
Published Jan 20, 2009 - 05:28 PM | Last updated Jul 17, 2010 - 04:49 PM
| Family | Dioscoreaceae |
|---|---|
| Category | |
| Region of origin | India and South Sea Islands, but much cultivated in the Pacific Islands |
| Synonyms | |
| Common Name | Yam |
| Name in the Camden Park Record | Dioscorea sp. from Friendly Islands |
| Confidence level | low |