NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details
Dioscorea villosa
Wild Yam
Scientific Name: |
Dioscorea villosa |
|---|---|
Genus: |
Dioscorea |
Species Epithet: |
villosa |
Common Name: |
Wild Yam |
Plant Type |
Herbaceous_Vine |
Life Cycle |
Perennial |
Plant Family |
Dioscoreaceae (Yam Family) |
Native/Alien: |
NC Native |
Invasive Status: |
(*Key) |
Size: |
6-12 ft. |
Bloom Color(s): |
White, Yellow, Green |
Light: |
Part Shade - 2 to 6 hours of sun per day, Less than 2 hours of sun per day |
Soil Moisture: |
Dry, Moist, Wet |
Bloom Time: |
April, May, June |
Growing Area: |
Mountains, Piedmont, Sandhills, Coastal Plain |
Habitat Description: |
Moist forests and woodlands. Common throughout NC. |
Leaf Arrangement: |
Alternate |
Leaf Retention: |
Deciduous |
Leaf Type: |
Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like |
Leaf Form: |
Simple |
Life Cycle: |
Perennial |
Wildlife Value: |
Has some wildlife value |
Landscape Value: |
Suitable for home landscapes |
State Rank: |
S5: Secure (*Key) |
Global Rank: |
G4 - Apparently Secure, G5 - Secure (*Key) |
Notes: |
Interesting fruit pods. Dioecious. There may be some taxonomic changes coming soon. |
|
Heart-shaped leaves with distinct venation; male and female flowers on separate plants (dioecious). Cherokee County NC
Lisa Lofland Gould |
|
|
Cordate leaves with entire margins and prominent veins. Leaves are alternate although near the base of the vine they can be opposite or whorled. Panther Branch Natural Area, Orange Co., NC
Bettina Darveaux |
|
Links: |
https://auth1.dpr.ncparks.gov/flora/plant_list.php https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/dioscorea-villosa/ https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/species/dioscorea/villosa/ |
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