Scientific Name
Dioscorea bulbifera L.
Synonyms
D. sativa L.
Family
Dioscoreaceae
Local Name
Saki Ganda
Habit Habitat
A twining annual herb, with underground tuber, found in sub-tropical and temperate zones.
Taxonomic Features
Tuber large, globose or pear shaped. Stem glabrous, twining clockwise, bearing brown warted bulbils. Leaves alternate, ovate, cordate at base. Inflorescence a spike. Male spike slender, drooping, 6-10cm long. Female spike simple, fascicled in the leaf axils. Fruit a capsule or berry. Seeds winged at the base.
Flowering Fruiting
July-September
Harvesting Time
August-October
Medicinal Value
Useful in colic, labor, gallbladder pains, chronic rheumatism, menstrual cramps and eczema.5 It is also used as blood purifier, carminative and antipyretic.7 Locally used in sore throat and indigestion, some herbalists use it in diabetes and also as blood purifier.
Parts Used
Tuber.
Future Prospective
Collection, cultivation, herbal pharmacy.
Plant Images
Dioscorea bulbifera L.