Genus Dioscorea L.


Summary
Genus number:
3758
Last updated:
1 August 2025
Family:
Dioscoreaceae
Common name(s):

yam
Accession count:

582 (4  active, 0  available) in National Plant Germplasm System
Comments:
conserved (nom. cons.) with a conserved type (Madrid ICN Art. 14.9 & App. III)


Synonyms
Synonym(s) Probable synonym(s) Possible synonym(s)

Images (5 total. Click on image for more.)
Fruit

Google Scholar   

References:
  1. Barrie, F. R. 2006. Report of the General Committee: 9. Taxon 55:796.
  2. Brummitt, R. K. 1995. Report of the Committee for Spermatophyta: 43. Taxon 44:611-612. Note: conservation proposal recommended
  3. Caddick, L. R. et al. 2002. Yams reclassified: a recircumscription of Dioscoreaceae and Dioscoreales. Taxon 51:103-114.
  4. Jarvis, C. E. 1991. Seventy-two proposals for the conservation of types of selected Linnaean generic names, the report of Subcommittee 3C on the lectotypification of Linnaean generic names. Taxon 41:552-583. Note: subcommittee on Linnaean generic names proposal for conservation
  5. Nicolson, D. H. 1999. Report of the General Committee: 8. Taxon 48:373-374. Note: action on Linnaean generic names deferred
  6. Noda, H. et al. 2020. A large-scale phylogenetic analysis of Dioscorea (Dioscoreaceae), with reference to character evolution and subgeneric recognition. Acta Phytotax. Sin. 71:103-128. DOI: 10.18942/apg.201923.
  7. Sugihara, Y. et al. 2021. Population genomics of yams: evolution and domestication of Dioscorea species. In: Rajora, O. P., Population genomics: Crop Plants 837-864. DOI: 10.1007/13836_2021_94.
  8. Viruel, J. et al. 2015. Late Cretaceous-Early Eocene origin of yams (Dioscorea, Dioscoreaceae) in the Laurasian Palearctic and their subsequent Oligocene-Miocene diversification. J. Biogeogr. 43:750-762. DOI: 10.1111/jbi.12678.
  9. Viruel, J. et al. 2018. A nuclear Xdh phylogenetic analysis of yams (Dioscorea: Dioscoreaceae) congruent with plastid trees reveals a new Neotropical lineage. Bot. J. Linn. Soc. 187:232-246. DOI: 10.1093/botlinnean/boy013.
  10. Wilkin, P. et al. 2005. A plastid gene phylogeny of the yam genus, Dioscorea: roots, fruits and Madagascar. Syst. Bot. 30:736-749. DOI: 10.1600/036364405775097879. www.aspt.net/systematic-botany
  11. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture Note: food crop, yam genepool
Cite as: USDA, Agricultural Research Service, National Plant Germplasm System. 2026. Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN Taxonomy). National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland.
URL: https://npgstest.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxon/taxonomygenus?id=3758. Accessed 15 April 2026.