Dioscorea deltoidea (PROSEA)

Plant Resources of South-East Asia Introduction

List of species

Dioscorea deltoidea Wallich ex Kunth

Protologue: Enum. pl. 5: 340 (1850).

• Dioscorea nepalensis Sweet (1830).

• Vietnam: củ còi.

From Pakistan, the Himalaya region, northern Vietnam to central China; cultivated in Vietnam and Russia.

In most of its distribution area, D. deltoidea has no local medicinal use, but is sold for cash income. The tuber is used for soap in India, in particular for washing the hair to kill lice.

• A long twining vine, stem almost glabrous, slightly angular, bulbils present, tuber large, horizontal, almost superficial, branched, flesh white, soft.
• Leaves alternate, 6-8 cm × 5-6 cm, often narrower in the middle, lobes standing out, apex acuminate, glabrous above, long, stiff hairs underneath, petiole long.
• Spikes pendulous.
• Capsule reflexed, 20 cm × 14 mm, wings larger at apex than at base.

In India, D. deltoidea grows in forest areas at 1400-3000 m altitude. It grows at a higher altitude than D. prazeri, has shorter leaf blades and longer petioles, and requires less rainfall.

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• [525] Khan, A.A. & Zaidi, S.H., 1989. Determination of optimum period of growth, suitable season of planting and effect of fertilizer on the yield of rhizomes of Dioscorea deltoidea Wall. at Kuza-Gali. Pakistan Journal of Forestry 39(3): 147—152.
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• Dioscorea (Medicinal plants)

• R.C.K. Chung