Dioscorea alata

FAMILY: Dioscoreaceae

NAME:

• English: Yam
• Chuukese: N/A
• Kosrae: muta
• Pohnpei: Kehp
• Yap: N/A

VEGETATIVE CHARISTERISTICS: It is tuber plant with a modified stem growing from the tuber that grows to a length of approximately 30feet (9meters).The stem is a tendrial.

Habit: Herb, most suitible when planted in shady areas. Kehps are usually planted near tall trees (usually the breadfruit tree) and have poles extending from the it to the higher branches of the tree for the vines of the yam to climb.

Leaf shape: Ovate-cordate with acuminate tip and entire margin.

Floral Discription(if any): N/A.

LOCATION: Sekir N Street, Kolonia

DATE: December 5th, 1998. 9:15AM

COLLECTED BY: E.T.Jr.

Secondary description by Boldon Abraham

1. Genus Species: Dioscorea
2. Family: Dioscoreaceae
3. Chuukese Name: Eep
4. English Name: Yams
5. Kosraean Name: Muhtah
6. Pohnpeian Name: Kehp
7. Yapese Name: La'k
8. Growth Form: Vine
9. Growth Location: Terrestrial
10. Growth Environment: Forest
11. Growth Zone: Tropical
12. Average Height: 2.4 meters (8ft)
13. Stem: Branching Pattern: N/A Shape: Tuber(round) Size: 1 inch thick Color: Green
14. Leaf Arrangement: N/A
15. Stipule: Not Visible
16. Petioles: N/A
17. Leaf Blade: Shape: Ovate-cordate Color: Green
18. Inflorescene: None
19. Floral Bracts: N/A
20. Flowers: White or greenish yellow flowers
21. Calyx: # of parts: Six degree of fusion: none
22. Corolla: # of parts: Six Shape: Lobed
23. Stamen: Not Visible
24. Ovary: Not Visible
25. Seeds: No Seeds
26. Anything else: Grow well in shady places and needs the aid of other trees to grow. Animals that usually bothers it are pigs.
27. Cultural Usage: Use mostly as a family food.

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