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