Dioscorea japonica Glutinous yam (Dioscoreaceae)

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Dioscorea japonica
Glutinous yam
(1 Page of 5)

The Dioscorea japonica plant species is found in E. Asia - C. and S. Japan. It is a member of the Dioscoreaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Glutinous yam.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Dioscorea japonica
Common Name:  Glutinous yam
Family:  Dioscoreaceae
Author:  Thunb.

Known Hazards:  Edible species of Dioscorea have opposite leaves whilst poisonous species have alternate leaves[174].

Mature Height:     Mature Width:

Habitat:  Wooded foothills[58].

Medicinal Information: The tubers are prescribed in the treatment of diarrhoea, enteritis, enuresis and spermatorrhoea[218]. They are also dried and cut into shavings then used as a tonic[218]. The roots of most, if not all, members of this genus, contains diosgenin[222, 240]. This is widely used in modern medicine in order to manufacture progesterone and other steroid drugs. These are used as contraceptives and in the treatment of various disorders of the genitary organs as well as in a host of other diseases such as asthma and arthritis[222].

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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