Bitter yam, Asiatic bitter yam

Where does Bitter yam grow?

Found in: Asia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brazil, Cambodia, China, East Timor, FSM, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Philippines, Pohnpei, SE Asia, Sikkim, South America, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam

Notes: It contains the alkaloid dioscorine which is poisonous so it needs to be treated before eating. There are about 650 species of Dioscorea.

Status: A yam only occasionally used as an emergency food.

Growing Bitter yam, Asiatic bitter yam

Cultivation: It can be grown from a tuber. The tuber can continue to increase in size over several years.

Edible Uses: The tubers are eaten after processing by slicing, soaking in running water for 48 hours and then cooking. They are dried and cooked with rice and other dishes. CAUTION THIS YAM CAN BE VERY POISONOUS. NORMALLY SELECTED VARIETIES AND SPECIAL PROCESSES ARE NEEDED BEFORE IT IS USED.

Nutrition Info

References

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