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yellow guinea yam
Scientific Name: Dioscorea cayenensis
Family: Dioscoreaceae
Category: Monocot
Growth: Forb/herb, Vine
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Yellow Guinea Yam (Dioscorea cayenensis)
The Yellow Guinea Yam, scientifically known as Dioscorea cayenensis, is a widely cultivated yam species, particularly in West Africa.
Common Names
- Yellow Guinea Yam
- Yellow Yam
- Twelve-months Yam
- Lagos Yam
- Guinea Yam
- Igname jaune (French)
- Igname de Cayenne (French)
- Attoto Yam
- Gelbe Yamswurzel (German)
- Car do Par
- Igname guineo
- Igname pays negre
- Hame amarillo
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Dioscorea cayenensis Lam.
- Family: Dioscoreaceae
- Rank: Species
- Synonyms: Enantiophyllum (as referenced in some texts)
- Symbol: DICA25 (in some databases)
Distribution and Habitat
- The Yellow Guinea Yam is indigenous to West Africa.
- It is also grown in the West Indies and the Caribbean.
- While widely distributed, it does not occur in the wild.
Origin and Phylogeny
- The Yellow Guinea Yam (Dioscorea cayenensis) belongs to the Guinea yam group, which also includes the White Guinea Yam (Dioscorea rotundata).
- Both species originated in West Africa.
Morphological Characteristics
- The tubers of yams, including the Yellow Guinea Yam, can be compact, spherical, or cylindrical.
- The flesh color of the tubers can range from white and cream to yellow, pink, or purple.