Dioscorea alata
FAMILY: Dioscoreaceae
NAME:
- English: Yam
- Chuukese: N/A
- Kosrae: muta
- Pohnpei: Kehp
- Yap: N/A
VEGETATIVE CHARISTERISTICS: It is tuber plant with a modified stem growing from the
tuber that grows to a length of approximately 30feet (9meters).The stem is a tendrial.
Habit: Herb, most suitible when planted in shady areas. Kehps are usually planted near
tall trees (usually the breadfruit tree) and have poles extending from the it to the
higher branches of the tree for the vines of the yam to climb.
Leaf shape: Ovate-cordate with acuminate tip and entire margin.
Floral Discription(if any): N/A.
LOCATION: Sekir N Street, Kolonia
DATE: December 5th, 1998. 9:15AM
COLLECTED BY: E.T.Jr.
Secondary description by Boldon Abraham
- Genus Species: Dioscorea
- Family: Dioscoreaceae
- Chuukese Name: Eep
- English Name: Yams
- Kosraean Name: Muhtah
- Pohnpeian Name: Kehp
- Yapese Name: La'k
- Growth Form: Vine
- Growth Location: Terrestrial
- Growth Environment: Forest
- Growth Zone: Tropical
- Average Height: 2.4 meters (8ft)
- Stem: Branching Pattern: N/A Shape: Tuber(round) Size: 1 inch thick Color: Green
- Leaf Arrangement: N/A
- Stipule: Not Visible
- Petioles: N/A
- Leaf Blade: Shape: Ovate-cordate Color: Green
- Inflorescene: None
- Floral Bracts: N/A
- Flowers: White or greenish yellow flowers
- Calyx: # of parts: Six degree of fusion: none
- Corolla: # of parts: Six Shape: Lobed
- Stamen: Not Visible
- Ovary: Not Visible
- Seeds: No Seeds
- Anything else: Grow well in shady places and needs the aid of other trees to grow.
Animals that usually bothers it are pigs.
- Cultural Usage: Use mostly as a family food.
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