long yam

Scientific Name
Dioscorea transversa
Category
Plants

Long yam; a slender deciduous twining climber growing annually from a long cylindrical perennial tuber. Available year round, but dry seeds hanging high up in trees into which the vine has climbed can be seen in the early dry season and indicate the location of the yams below. Can be eaten after roasting, no treatment needed. The 'mother yam' can often have smaller side tubers which can be broken off and planted to ensure growth the following year.

Sender deciduous twining climber growing annually from a long cylindrical perennial tuber. Leaves alternate, triangular to oblong-triangular or ovate, blade 50-100 mm long x30-60 mm wide, stiffly textured with prominent veins. Flowers pale green, strongly scented. Fruit three-winged capsules, broadly rounded, 25 mm wide x 15 mm long, in pendulous clusters. Found in lowland and sandstone country in monsoon forest associated with freshwater streams, often rambling into surrounding open forest, stream banks and forest in sandstone regions.

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Do you have photographs of plants and animals from Kakadu and western Arnhem Land?

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