Wild Yam

Dioscorea villosa

Dioscoareaceae (Sweet Potato Family)

▲▼ vines climbing trellises, other vines

▲ new leaf growth in spring

▲▼ leaves

▲▼flowers

Wild Yam: 

* native to Ozarks and midwest

* has alternate, heart-shaped, parallel-veined leaves

* produces slender, semi-woody stems

* similar in appearance invasive species, Chinese Yam (Dioscorea oppositifolia, Air Potato Vine, Cinnamon Vine), but wild yam has alternate leaves and lacks the aerial tubers (air potatoes) of Chinese Yam