Dioscorea


Dioscorea is a genus of over 600 species of flowering plants in the family Dioscoreaceae, native throughout the tropical and warm temperate regions of the world. The vast majority of the species are tropical, with only a few species extending into temperate climates. It was named by the monk Charles Plumier after the ancient Greek physician and botanist Dioscorides.

Description

They are tuberous herbaceous perennial lianas, growing to or more tall. The leaves are spirally arranged, mostly broad heart-shaped. The flowers are individually inconspicuous, greenish-yellow, with six petals; they are mostly dioecious, with separate male and female plants, though a few species are monoecious, with male and female flowers on the same plant. The fruit is a capsule in most species, a soft berry in a few species.
Most Dioscorea species that have been examined possess extrafloral nectaries at the petiole or leaf underside.

Cultivation and uses

Several species, known as yams, are important agricultural crops in tropical regions, grown for their large tubers. Many of these are toxic when fresh, but can be detoxified and eaten, and are particularly important in parts of Africa, Asia, and Oceania.
One class of toxins found in many species is steroidal saponins, which can be converted through a series of chemical reactions into steroid hormones for use in medicine and as contraceptives.
The 1889 book "The Useful Native Plants of Australia" records that Dioscorea hastifolia is "One of the hardiest of the yams. The tubers are largely consumed by the local aborigines for food.."

Accepted species, subspecies, and varieties

The genus includes the following species and subspecies:

A

Dioscorea abysmophila Maguire & Steyerm.Dioscorea abyssinica Hochst. ex KunthDioscorea acanthogene RusbyDioscorea acerifolia Phil.Dioscorea acuminata BakerDioscorea adenantha UlineDioscorea aesculifolia R.KnuthDioscorea aguilarii Standl. & Steyerm.Dioscorea alata L.Dioscorea alatipes Burkill & H.PerrierDioscorea althaeoides R.KnuthDioscorea altissima Lam.Dioscorea amaranthoides C.PreslDioscorea amazonum Mart. ex Griseb.Dioscorea amazonum var. klugii AyalaDioscorea amoena R.KnuthDioscorea analalavensis Jum. & H.PerrierDioscorea ancachsensis R.KnuthDioscorea andina Phil.Dioscorea andromedusae O.TéllezDioscorea angustifolia RusbyDioscorea anomala Griseb.Dioscorea antaly Jum. & H.PerrierDioscorea antucoana Uline ex R.KnuthDioscorea arachidna Prain & BurkillDioscorea araucana Phil.Dioscorea arcuatinervis Hochr.Dioscorea argyrogyna Uline ex R.KnuthDioscorea arifolia C.PreslDioscorea aristolochiifolia Poepp.Dioscorea arnensis R. KnuthDioscorea asclepiadea Prain & BurkillDioscorea aspera Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd.Dioscorea aspersa Prain & BurkillDioscorea asperula PedralliDioscorea asteriscus BurkillDioscorea atrescens R.KnuthDioscorea auriculata Poepp.

B

Dioscorea bahiensis R.KnuthDioscorea bako WilkinDioscorea balakrishnaniiDioscorea balcanica KošaninDioscorea bancana Prain & BurkillDioscorea banzhuana S.J.Pei & C.T.TingDioscorea bartlettii C.V.MortonDioscorea basiclavicaulis Rizzini & A.MattosDioscorea baya De Wild.Dioscorea beecheyi R.KnuthDioscorea belophylla Voigt ex HainesDioscorea bemandry Jum. & H.PerrierDioscorea bemarivensis Jum. & H.PerrierDioscorea benthamii Prain & BurkillDioscorea berenicea McVaughDioscorea bermejensis R.KnuthDioscorea bernoulliana Prain & BurkillDioscorea besseriana KunthDioscorea beyrichii R.KnuthDioscorea bicolor Prain & BurkillDioscorea biformifolia S.J.Pei & C.T.TingDioscorea biloba Caddick & WilkinDioscorea biplicata R.KnuthDioscorea birmanica Prain & BurkillDioscorea birschelii Harms ex R.KnuthDioscorea blumei Prain & BurkillDioscorea bolivarensis Steyerm.Dioscorea bonii Prain & BurkillDioscorea bosseri Haigh & WilkinDioscorea brachybotrya Poepp.Dioscorea brachystachya Phil.Dioscorea bradei R.KnuthDioscorea brandisii Prain & BurkillDioscorea brevipetiolata Prain & BurkillDioscorea bridgesii Griseb. ex KunthDioscorea brownii SchinzDioscorea bryoniifolia Poepp.Dioscorea buchananii Benth.Dioscorea buckleyana WilkinDioscorea bulbifera L.Dioscorea bulbotricha Hand.-Mazz.Dioscorea burchellii BakerDioscorea burkilliana J.Miège

C

Dioscorea cachipuertensis AyalaDioscorea calcicola Prain & BurkillDioscorea caldasensis R.KnuthDioscorea calderillensis R.KnuthDioscorea callacatensis R.KnuthDioscorea cambodiana Prain & BurkillDioscorea campanulata Uline ex R.KnuthDioscorea campestris Griseb.Dioscorea campos-portoi R.KnuthDioscorea carionis Prain & BurkillDioscorea carpomaculata O.Téllez & B.G.Schub.Dioscorea carpomaculata var. cinerea O.Téllez & B.G.Schub. Dioscorea castilloniana HaumanDioscorea catharinensis R.KnuthDioscorea caucasica LipskyDioscorea cavenensis Lam.Dioscorea cayennensis Lam.Dioscorea cayennensis subsp. rotundata J.Miège; syn.: D. rotundata Poir.Dioscorea ceratandra Uline ex R.KnuthDioscorea chacoensis R.KnuthDioscorea chagllaensis R.KnuthDioscorea chancayensis R.KnuthDioscorea chaponensis R.KnuthDioscorea chiapasensis MatudaDioscorea chimborazensis R.KnuthDioscorea chingii Prain & BurkillDioscorea choriandra Uline ex R.KnuthDioscorea chouardii GaussenDioscorea cienegensis R.KnuthDioscorea cinnamomifolia Hook.Dioscorea cirrhosa Lour.Dioscorea cissophylla Phil.Dioscorea claessensii De Wild.Dioscorea claussenii Uline ex R.KnuthDioscorea claytonii AyalaDioscorea cochleariapiculata De Wild.Dioscorea collettii Hook.f.Dioscorea collettii var. hypoglauca S.J.Pei & C.T.TingDioscorea communis Caddick & WilkinDioscorea commutata R.KnuthDioscorea comorensis R.KnuthDioscorea composita Hemsl.Dioscorea contracta R.KnuthDioscorea convolvulacea Cham. & Schltdl.Dioscorea convolvulacea subsp. grandifolia Uline ex R.KnuthDioscorea conzattii R.KnuthDioscorea cordifolia Laness.Dioscorea coreana R.KnuthDioscorea coriacea Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd.Dioscorea coripatenis J.F.Macbr.Dioscorea coronata HaumanDioscorea cotinifolia KunthDioscorea craibiana Prain & BurkillDioscorea crateriflora R.KnuthDioscorea crotalariifolia UlineDioscorea cruzensis R.KnuthDioscorea cubensis R.KnuthDioscorea cumingii Prain & BurkillDioscorea curitybensis R.KnuthDioscorea cuspidata Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd.Dioscorea cuyabensis R.KnuthDioscorea cyanisticta J.D.Sm.Dioscorea cymosula Hemsl.Dioscorea cyphocarpa C.B.Rob. ex Knuth

D

Dioscorea daunea Prain & BurkillDioscorea davidsei O.TéllezDioscorea de-mourae Uline ex R.KnuthDioscorea debilis Uline ex R.KnuthDioscorea decaryana H.PerrierDioscorea decipiens Hook.f.Dioscorea decorticans C.PreslDioscorea deflexa Griseb.Dioscorea delavayi Franch.Dioscorea delicata R.KnuthDioscorea deltoidea Wall. ex Griseb.Dioscorea dendrotricha UlineDioscorea densiflora Hemsl.Dioscorea depauperata Prain & BurkillDioscorea diamantinensis R.KnuthDioscorea dicranandra Donn.Sm.Dioscorea dielsii R.KnuthDioscorea dissimulans Prain & BurkillDioscorea divaricata BlancoDioscorea diversifolia Griseb.Dioscorea dodecaneura Vell.Dioscorea dregeana T.Durand & SchinzDioscorea duchassaingii R.KnuthDioscorea dugesii C.B.Rob.Dioscorea dumetorum PaxDioscorea dumetosa Uline ex R.Knuth

E

Dioscorea ekmanii R.KnuthDioscorea elegans Ridl. ex Prain & BurkillDioscorea elephantipes Engl.Dioscorea entomophila HaumanDioscorea epistephioides Taub.Dioscorea escuintlensis MatudaDioscorea esculenta BurkillDioscorea esquirolii Prain & BurkillDioscorea exalata C.T.Ting & M.C.Chang

F

Dioscorea fandra H.PerrierDioscorea fasciculocongesta O.TéllezDioscorea fastigiata GayDioscorea fendleri R.KnuthDioscorea ferreyrae AyalaDioscorea filiformis BlumeDioscorea flabellifolia Prain & BurkillDioscorea flaccida R.KnuthDioscorea floribunda M.Martens & GaleottiDioscorea floridana BartlettDioscorea fodinarum KunthDioscorea fordii Prain & BurkillDioscorea formosana R.KnuthDioscorea fractiflexa R.KnuthDioscorea fuliginosa R.KnuthDioscorea furcata Griseb.Dioscorea futschauensis Uline ex R.Knuth

G

Dioscorea galeottiana KunthDioscorea galiiflora R.KnuthDioscorea gallegosi MatudaDioscorea garrettii Prain & BurkillDioscorea gaumeri R.KnuthDioscorea gentryi O.TéllezDioscorea gillettii Milne-Redh.Dioscorea glabra Roxb.Dioscorea glandulosa Klotzsch ex KunthDioscorea glandulosa var. calcensis AyalaDioscorea glomerulata HaumanDioscorea gomez-pompae O.TéllezDioscorea gracilicaulis R.KnuthDioscorea gracilipes Prain & BurkillDioscorea gracilis Hook. ex Poepp.Dioscorea gracillima Miq.Dioscorea grandiflora Mart. ex Griseb.Dioscorea grandis R.KnuthDioscorea grata Prain & BurkillDioscorea gribinguiensis BaudonDioscorea grisebachii KunthDioscorea guerrerensis R.KnuthDioscorea guianensis R.Knuth

H

Dioscorea haenkeana C.PreslDioscorea hamiltonii Hook.f.Dioscorea hassleriana ChodatDioscorea hastata Mill.Dioscorea hastatissima RusbyDioscorea hastifolia NeesDioscorea hastiformis R.KnuthDioscorea haumanii XifredaDioscorea havilandii Prain & BurkillDioscorea hebridensis R.KnuthDioscorea hemicrypta BurkillDioscorea hemsleyi Prain & BurkillDioscorea heptaneura Vell.Dioscorea herbert-smithii RusbyDioscorea herzogii R.KnuthDioscorea heteropoda BakerDioscorea hexagona BakerDioscorea hieronymi Uline ex R.KnuthDioscorea hintonii R.KnuthDioscorea hirtiflora Benth.Dioscorea hirtiflora subsp. orientalis Milne-Redh.Dioscorea hispida Dennst.Dioscorea holmioidea MauryDioscorea hombuka H.PerrierDioscorea hondurensis R.KnuthDioscorea howardiana O.Téllez, B.G.Schub. & GeetaDioscorea humifusa Poepp.Dioscorea humilis Bertero ex CollaDioscorea humilis subsp. polyanthes Viruel, Segarra & VillarDioscorea hunzikeri Xifreda

I

Dioscorea igualamontana MatudaDioscorea incayensis R.KnuthDioscorea inopinata Prain & BurkillDioscorea insignis C.V.Morton & B.G.Schub.Dioscorea intermedia ThwaitesDioscorea ionophylla Uline ex R.KnuthDioscorea iquitosensis R.KnuthDioscorea irupanensis R.KnuthDioscorea itapirensis R.KnuthDioscorea itatiensis R.Knuth

J

Dioscorea jaliscana S.WatsonDioscorea jamesonii R.KnuthDioscorea japonica Thunb. - Shan yao in Chinese Dioscorea javariensis AyalaDioscorea juxtlahuacensis Caddick & Wilkin

K

Dioscorea kalkapershadii Prain & BurkillDioscorea kamoonensis KunthDioscorea keduensis Burkill ex BackerDioscorea kerrii Prain & BurkillDioscorea killipii R.KnuthDioscorea kimiae WilkinDioscorea kingii R.KnuthDioscorea kituiensis Wilkin & MuasyaDioscorea kjellbergii R.KnuthDioscorea knuthiana De Wild.Dioscorea koepperi Standl.Dioscorea koyamae Jayas.Dioscorea kratica Prain & BurkillDioscorea kunthiana UlineDioscorea kuntzei Uline ex Kuntze

L

Dioscorea lacerdaei Griseb.Dioscorea laevis UlineDioscorea lamprocaula Prain & BurkillDioscorea lanata BailDioscorea larecajensis Uline ex R.KnuthDioscorea laurifolia Wall. ex Hook.f.Dioscorea lawrancei R.KnuthDioscorea laxiflora Mart. ex Griseb.Dioscorea lehmannii UlineDioscorea lepcharum Prain & BurkillDioscorea lepida C.V.MortonDioscorea leptobotrys Uline ex R.KnuthDioscorea liebmannii UlineDioscorea lijiangensis C.L.Long & H.LiDioscorea linearicordata Prain & BurkillDioscorea lisae Dorr & StergiosDioscorea listeri Prain & BurkillDioscorea litoralis Phil.Dioscorea loefgrenii R.KnuthDioscorea loheri Prain & BurkillDioscorea longicuspis R.KnuthDioscorea longipes Phil.Dioscorea longirhiza Caddick & WilkinDioscorea longituba UlineDioscorea lundii Uline ex R.KnuthDioscorea luzonensis Schauer

M

Dioscorea macbrideana R.KnuthDioscorea maciba Jum. & H.PerrierDioscorea macrantha Uline ex R.KnuthDioscorea macrothyrsa UlineDioscorea macvaughii B.G.Schub.Dioscorea madecassa H.PerrierDioscorea madiunensis Prain & BurkillDioscorea maianthemoides Uline ex R.KnuthDioscorea mamillata Jum. & H.PerrierDioscorea mandonii RusbyDioscorea mangenotiana J.MiègeDioscorea mantigueirensis R.KnuthDioscorea margarethia G.M.Barroso, E.F.Guim. & SucreDioscorea marginata Griseb.Dioscorea martensis R.KnuthDioscorea martiana Griseb.Dioscorea martini Prain & BurkillDioscorea matagalpensis UlineDioscorea matudae O.Téllez & B.G.Schub.Dioscorea mayottensis WilkinDioscorea megacarpa GleasonDioscorea megalantha Griseb.Dioscorea melanophyma Prain & BurkillDioscorea melastomatifolia Uline ex PrainDioscorea membranacea Pierre ex Prain & BurkillDioscorea menglaensis H.LiDioscorea meridensis KunthDioscorea merrillii Prain & BurkillDioscorea mesoamericana O.Téllez & Mart.-Rodr.Dioscorea mexicana Scheidw.Dioscorea microbotrya Griseb.Dioscorea microcephala UlineDioscorea microura R.KnuthDioscorea mindanaensis R.KnuthDioscorea minima C.B.Rob. & SeatonDioscorea minutiflora Engl.Dioscorea mitis C.V.MortonDioscorea mitoensis R.KnuthDioscorea modesta Phil.Dioscorea mollis KunthDioscorea monadelpha Griseb.Dioscorea × monandra HaumanDioscorea morelosana MatudaDioscorea moritziana R.KnuthDioscorea mosqueirensis R.KnuthDioscorea moultonii Prain & BurkillDioscorea moyobambensis R.KnuthDioscorea mucronata Uline ex R.KnuthDioscorea multiflora Mart. ex Griseb.Dioscorea multiloba KunthDioscorea multinervis Benth.Dioscorea mundii Baker

N

Dioscorea nako H.PerrierDioscorea namorokensis WilkinDioscorea nana Poepp.Dioscorea nanlaensis H.LiDioscorea natalensis R.KnuthDioscorea natalia HammelDioscorea neblinensis Maguire & Steyerm.Dioscorea nelsonii Uline ex R.KnuthDioscorea nematodes Uline ex R.KnuthDioscorea nervata R.KnuthDioscorea nervosa Phil.Dioscorea nicolasensis R.KnuthDioscorea nieuwenhuisii Prain & BurkillDioscorea nipensis R.A.HowardDioscorea nipponica MakinoDioscorea nitens Prain & BurkillDioscorea nuda R.KnuthDioscorea nummularia Lam.Dioscorea nutans R.Knuth

O

Dioscorea oaxacensis UlineDioscorea obcuneata Hook.f.Dioscorea oblonga GleasonDioscorea oblongifolia RusbyDioscorea obtusifolia Hook. & Arn.Dioscorea olfersiana Klotzsch ex Griseb.Dioscorea oligophylla Phil.Dioscorea omiltemensis O.TéllezDioscorea opaca R.KnuthDioscorea oppositiflora Griseb.Dioscorea oppositifolia L. - Shan yao in Chinese Dioscorea orangeana WilkinDioscorea orbiculata Hook.f.Dioscorea orbiculata var. tenuifolia ThapyaiDioscorea oreodoxa B.G.Schub.Dioscorea organensis R.KnuthDioscorea orientalis Caddick & WilkinDioscorea orizabensis UlineDioscorea orthogoneura Uline ex Hochr.Dioscorea oryzetorum Prain & BurkillDioscorea ovalifolia R.KnuthDioscorea ovata Vell.Dioscorea ovinala Baker

P

Dioscorea palawana Prain & BurkillDioscorea paleata BurkillDioscorea pallens Schltdl.Dioscorea pallidinervia R.KnuthDioscorea palmeri R.KnuthDioscorea panamensis R.KnuthDioscorea panthaica Prain & BurkillDioscorea pantojensis R.KnuthDioscorea paradoxa Prain & BurkillDioscorea pavonii Uline ex R.KnuthDioscorea pedicellata Phil.Dioscorea pencana Phil.Dioscorea pendula Poepp. ex KunthDioscorea pentaphylla L.Dioscorea peperoides Prain & BurkillDioscorea perdicum Taub.Dioscorea perenensis R.KnuthDioscorea perpilosa H.PerrierDioscorea petelotii Prain & BurkillDioscorea philippiana Uline ex R.KnuthDioscorea piauhyensis R.KnuthDioscorea pierrei Prain & BurkillDioscorea pilcomayensis HaumanDioscorea pilgeriana R.KnuthDioscorea pilosiuscula Bertero ex Spreng.Dioscorea pinedensis R.KnuthDioscorea piperifolia Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd.Dioscorea piscatorum Prain & BurkillDioscorea pittieri R.KnuthDioscorea planistipulosa Uline ex R.KnuthDioscorea plantaginifolia R.KnuthDioscorea platycarpa Prain & BurkillDioscorea platycolpota Uline ex B.L.Rob.Dioscorea plumifera C.B.Rob.Dioscorea pohlii Griseb.Dioscorea pohlii var. luschnathiana Uline ex R.KnuthDioscorea poilanei Prain & BurkillDioscorea polyclados Hook.f.Dioscorea polygonoides Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd.Dioscorea polystachya Turcz. Dioscorea pomeroonensis R.KnuthDioscorea potarensis R.KnuthDioscorea praehensilis Benth.Dioscorea prainiana R.KnuthDioscorea prazeri Prain & BurkillDioscorea preslii Steud.Dioscorea preussii PaxDioscorea preussii subsp. hylophila WilkinDioscorea pringlei C.B.Rob.Dioscorea proteiformis H.PerrierDioscorea psammophila R.KnuthDioscorea pseudomacrocapsa G.M.Barroso, E.F.Guim. & SucreDioscorea pseudorajanioides R.KnuthDioscorea pseudotomentosa Prain & BurkillDioscorea pteropoda Boivin ex H.PerrierDioscorea pubera BlumeDioscorea pubescens Poir.Dioscorea pumicicola UlineDioscorea pumilio Griseb.Dioscorea puncticulata R.KnuthDioscorea purdiei R.KnuthDioscorea putisensis R.KnuthDioscorea putumayensis R.KnuthDioscorea pynaertii De Wild.Dioscorea pyrenaica Bubani & Bordère ex Gren.Dioscorea pyrifolia Kunth

Q

Dioscorea quartiniana A.Rich.Dioscorea quaternata J.F. Gmel.Dioscorea quinquelobata Thunb.Dioscorea quispicanchensis R.Knuth

R

Dioscorea racemosa UlineDioscorea regnellii Uline ex R.KnuthDioscorea remota C.V.MortonDioscorea remotiflora KunthDioscorea reticulata GayDioscorea retusa Mast.Dioscorea reversiflora UlineDioscorea ridleyi Prain & BurkillDioscorea riedelii R.KnuthDioscorea rigida R.KnuthDioscorea rimbachii R.KnuthDioscorea rockii Prain & BurkillDioscorea rosei R.KnuthDioscorea rumicoides Griseb.Dioscorea rupicola KunthDioscorea rusbyi Uline

S

Dioscorea sabarensis R.KnuthDioscorea sagittata Poir.Dioscorea sagittifolia PaxDioscorea sagittifolia var. lecardii NkounkouDioscorea salicifolia BlumeDioscorea salvadorensis Standl.Dioscorea sambiranensis R.KnuthDioscorea sanchez-colini MatudaDioscorea sandiensis R.KnuthDioscorea sandwithii B.G.Schub.Dioscorea sanpaulensis R.KnuthDioscorea sansibarensis PaxDioscorea santanderensis R.KnuthDioscorea santosensis R.KnuthDioscorea sarasinii Uline ex R.KnuthDioscorea saxatilis Poepp.Dioscorea scabra Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd.Dioscorea schimperiana Hochst. ex KunthDioscorea schubertiae AyalaDioscorea schunkei Ayala & T.ClaytonDioscorea schwackei Uline ex R.KnuthDioscorea scortechinii Prain & BurkillDioscorea secunda R.KnuthDioscorea sellowiana Uline ex R.KnuthDioscorea semperflorens UlineDioscorea septemloba Thunb.Dioscorea septemnervis Vell.Dioscorea sericea R.KnuthDioscorea seriflora Jum. & H.PerrierDioscorea serpenticola Hoque & P.K.Mukh.Dioscorea sessiliflora McVaughDioscorea sexrimata BurkillDioscorea simulans Prain & BurkillDioscorea sincorensis R.KnuthDioscorea sinoparviflora C.T.Ting, M.G.Gilbert & TurlandDioscorea sinuata Vell.Dioscorea sitamiana Prain & BurkillDioscorea skottsbergii R.KnuthDioscorea smilacifolia De Wild. & T.DurandDioscorea sonlaensis R.KnuthDioscorea sororopana Steyerm.Dioscorea soso Jum. & H.PerrierDioscorea soso var. trichopoda Burkill & H.PerrierDioscorea spectabilis R.KnuthDioscorea spicata RothDioscorea spiculiflora Hemsl.Dioscorea spiculoides MatudaDioscorea spongiosa J.Q.Xi, M.Mizuno & W.L.ZhaoDioscorea sprucei Uline ex R.KnuthDioscorea standleyi C.V.MortonDioscorea stegelmanniana R.KnuthDioscorea stellaris R.KnuthDioscorea stemonoides Prain & BurkillDioscorea stenocolpus Phil.Dioscorea stenomeriflora Prain & BurkillDioscorea stenopetala HaumanDioscorea stenophylla UlineDioscorea sterilis O.Weber & WilkinDioscorea stipulosa Uline ex R.KnuthDioscorea subcalva Prain & BurkillDioscorea subhastata Vell.Dioscorea sublignosa R.KnuthDioscorea submigra R.KnuthDioscorea subtomentosa MirandaDioscorea sumatrana Prain & BurkillDioscorea sumiderensis B.G.Schub. & O.TéllezDioscorea suratensis R.KnuthDioscorea sylvatica Eckl.Dioscorea synandra UlineDioscorea syringifolia Kunth & R.H.Schomb. ex R.Knuth

T

Dioscorea tabatae Hatus. ex Yamashita & M.N.TamuraDioscorea tacanensis LundellDioscorea tamarisciflora Prain & BurkillDioscorea tamoidea Griseb.Dioscorea tamshiyacuensis AyalaDioscorea tancitarensis MatudaDioscorea tarijensis R.KnuthDioscorea tarmensis R.KnuthDioscorea tauriglossum R.KnuthDioscorea tayacajensis R.KnuthDioscorea temascaltepecensis R.KnuthDioscorea tenebrosa C.V.MortonDioscorea tenella Phil.Dioscorea tentaculigera Prain & BurkillDioscorea tenuipes Franch. & Sav.Dioscorea tenuiphyllum R.KnuthDioscorea tenuis R.KnuthDioscorea tequendamensis R.KnuthDioscorea ternata Griseb.Dioscorea therezopolensis Uline ex R.KnuthDioscorea togoensis R.KnuthDioscorea tokoro Makino ex MiyabeDioscorea toldosensis R.KnuthDioscorea tomentosa J.Koenig ex Spreng.Dioscorea torticaulis R.KnuthDioscorea trachyandra Griseb.Dioscorea trachycarpa KunthDioscorea traillii R.KnuthDioscorea transversa R.Br.Dioscorea triandria Sessé & Moc.Dioscorea trichantha BakerDioscorea trichanthera GleasonDioscorea trifida L.f.Dioscorea trifoliata KunthDioscorea trifurcata HaumanDioscorea trilinguis Griseb.Dioscorea trimenii Prain & BurkillDioscorea trinervia Roxb. ex Prain & BurkillDioscorea trisecta Griseb.Dioscorea trollii R.KnuthDioscorea truncata Miq.Dioscorea tsaratananensis H.PerrierDioscorea tubiperianthia MatudaDioscorea tubuliflora Uline ex R.Knuth Dioscorea tubulosa Griseb.

U

Dioscorea uliginosa Phil.Dioscorea ulinei Greenm. ex R.KnuthDioscorea undatiloba BakerDioscorea urceolata UlineDioscorea urophylla Hemsl.Dioscorea uruapanensis Matuda

V

Dioscorea valdiviensis R.KnuthDioscorea vanvuurenii Prain & BurkillDioscorea variifolia BerteroDioscorea velutipes Prain & BurkillDioscorea vexans Prain & BurkillDioscorea vilis KunthDioscorea villosa L.Dioscorea volckmannii Phil.

W

Dioscorea wallichii Hook.f.Dioscorea warburgiana Uline ex Prain & BurkillDioscorea warmingii R.KnuthDioscorea wattii Prain & BurkillDioscorea weberbaueri R.KnuthDioscorea widgrenii R.KnuthDioscorea wightii Hook.f.Dioscorea wittiana R.KnuthDioscorea wrightii Uline ex R.Knuth

X

Dioscorea xizangensis C.T.Ting

Y

Dioscorea yunnanensis Prain & Burkill

Z

Dioscorea zingiberensis C.H.Wright
The closely related genus Tamus is included in Dioscorea by some sources, but is maintained as distinct by others. For Dioscorea communis Caddick & Wilkin, see Tamus communis.