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wild yam

wild yam

Dioscorea villosa

vine part shade💧💧 moderate waterZone 6aZone 9b

A native North American twining vine with heart-shaped leaves and small greenish flowers followed by distinctive winged seed pods. The rhizomes have been traditionally used in herbal medicine.

Overview

Form
Climbing
Growth Rate
moderate
Size
3–9′ tall
Dormancy
deciduous

Tolerances & Soil

Zone 6aZone 9b
1471013
ColderWarmer
Zone range: Zone 6a to Zone 9b

Seasonality

Bloom Season

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Harvest Season

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Season of Interest

SummerFall

Climber

Vines that climb the layers above on a support.

Succession Role

early successionalmid successional

Native to the United States

Native Range

Eastern North America

Native to: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas

Function & Care

medicinaldynamic accumulatorwildlife benefitedible

Edible Parts

root

Establishment & Care

Establishment
moderate
Maintenance
low
Propagation
seed, tuber, root cutting