Number: 5160078
Description: Foliage; leaves
Photographer: Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey
  Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number: 9006015
Description: Plant(s); in August
Photographer: Fred Nation, Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
  Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number: 5163005
Description: Flower(s);
Photographer: Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey
  Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number: 5163003
Description: Flower(s); habit
Photographer: Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey
  Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number: 5126013
Description: Feature(s); Aerial tubers (bubils)
Photographer: Chris Evans, River to River CWMA
  Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number: 5163009
Description: Fruit(s); yamlet
Photographer: Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey
  Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number: 5126029
Description: Infestation;
Photographer: Chris Evans, River to River CWMA
  Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number: 5163010
Description: Plant(s); habit
Photographer: Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey
  Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number: 5126022
Description: Infestation;
Photographer: Chris Evans, River to River CWMA
  Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Dioscoreales > Dioscoreaceae > Dioscorea alata L.
Synonym(s): water yam
Winged yam is an herbaceous, twining vine that can grow to lengths exceeding 30 ft. (9.1 m). It invades open to shady areas in the extreme southeastern United States. Leaves are opposite, 8 in. (20.3 cm) long and narrowly heart-shaped with long petioles. The stems are square with the corners compressed into wings. The chief means of reproduction is by aerial potato-like tubers (bulbils) located at the leaf axils and by underground tubers. The vine rarely flowers. Winged yam can form dense masses of vines that cover and kill native vegetation including trees. It was introduced from Asia as a possible food source in the early 1800s. In some countries it is presently being cultivated for medicinal uses.

Identification, Biology, Control and Management Resources

Selected Images

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Number: 5163006
Description: Foliage; leaves
Photographer: Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey
  Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number: 5163004
Description: Foliage; leaves
Photographer: Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey
  Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number: 5126008
Description: Infestation;
Photographer: Chris Evans, River to River CWMA
  Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 

External Links

Invasive Reference(s)

  • Alabama - IPC List
  • Florida - EPPC list
  • Georgia - EPPC list
  • Nonnative Invasive Plants of Southern Forests: A Field Guide for Identification and Control

Subject Reference(s)

  • USDA, NRCS. 2001. The PLANTS Database, Version