Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 6, 2026

Dioscorea ovinala

Dioscorea ovinala is a species of yam in the family Dioscoreaceae. It is endemic to Madagascar and grows mostly in dry deciduous forests.

Last revised
Jul 6, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
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124 w
Citations
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Source
Wikipedia ↗
Dioscorea ovinala
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Embryophytes
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Spermatophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Dioscoreales
Family: Dioscoreaceae
Genus: Dioscorea
Species:
D. ovinala
Binomial name
Dioscorea ovinala

Dioscorea ovinala is a species of yam in the family Dioscoreaceae. It is endemic to Madagascar23 and grows mostly in dry deciduous forests.1

Uses

Dioscorea ovinala is important to the Malagasy people as food and medicine. This species is also used as a starch source.1

References

References

  1. Kennerley, J. A.; Wilkin, P.; Contu, S. (2017). "Dioscorea ovinala". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017 e.T44393704A66770028. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T44393704A66770028.en. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  2. GBIF. "Dioscorea ovinala Baker - Checklist View". www.gbif.org. Retrieved 2017-01-23.
  3. "Tropicos | Name - Dioscorea ovinala Baker". www.tropicos.org. Retrieved 2017-01-23.