Re: Off topic question, Dioscorea sp.!

From: Dean Sliger deanslgr at juno.com> on 2001.12.29 at 00:48:17(7988) Julius - Not sure which species you mean. If you're referring to the native Dioscorea villosa, yes, it's edible, but probably not in portions comparable to how one might eat "regular" potatoes. Native Americans both ate it and used the dried roots medicinally (gastrointestinal ailments and labour pains). According to the 'PDR for Herbal Medicines,' you should avoid eating it if you're taking supplemental estrogen. ;-) If you mean Dioscorea batatas (D. opposita) -- a/k/a cinnamon yam, Chinese yam, Shan Yao -- which I *think* is the one commonly grown as the "air potato" houseplant, the tubers are totally edible, grown as a food crop throughout the Philippines and elsewhere. When grown in the ground the little tubers can grow up to 3' long. I have it growing out in the yard, but haven't dug up any tubers to measure them (I grow it as an ornamental for the benefit/dismay of the "That can't be hardy!" people). Apparently it has cinnamon-scented flowers, hence the common name, but I've yet to see flowers here in Michigan. Dean +More On Fri, 28 Dec 2001 11:39:06 -0600 (CST) "Julius Boos" writes: > 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,

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