Off topic question, Dioscorea sp.!

From: "Julius Boos" ju-bo at email.msn.com> on 2001.12.28 at 17:39:05(7986) Dear Friends, This concerns the plant family Dioscoria, the true yams. This family has been considered as possibly being one of the relatives of the Araceae. My question is---does anyone know FOR SURE if the species that grows as a pest/weed here in S. and Cen. Florida, commonly called 'air potatoes', is edible?? I have heard/read two versions, one is that it IS edible, and was used as food by the Indians and early settlers, another says it is inedible and mildly poisonous even when cooked. If it is edible, can both the underground tubers AND the large tubers (the 'air potatoes') that are produced above ground on the vine also be cooked and eaten?? Thanks, and have a Happy New Year! Julius

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