Plant Details

Dioscorea batatas

Chinese yam

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Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Dioscorea batatas.

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Common names

3 names · 3 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Chinese yam
Other languages (2)
Dutch
  • Chinese yam
French
  • Igname de Chine
Sources & name notes

Names recorded in our plant catalogue, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

General information

Scientific name: Dioscorea batatas
Accepted name (Kew): Dioscorea polystachya View name reference ↗

Accepted in the cited taxonomic treatment. Botanical references may use alternative names.

Sources [1] [2]
Botanical family: Dioscoreaceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Dioscorea (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: Chinese yam

Plant characteristics

Layer: Climber
Catalogue size class: Small
Height: 3.00 m
Spread: 1.50 m
Growth rate: None
Foliage: None

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 4-11
Soil moisture:
Moist
Soil:
Sand (light) Loam (medium) Clay (heavy)
pH:
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
Light:
Partial shade, Full sun

Uses

Edible parts:
Fruit, Root
Edibility rating:
(5)
Medicinal rating:
(5)
Functions:
Carbon farming, Fragrant

Description

Tubers - prepared for consumption. The tubers have a floury texture and a pleasant potato-like taste. They can be prepared in various ways, such as boiling, baking, frying, mashing, grinding, and adding to soups. They can be well preserved in the ground and harvested as needed, especially in winter. These tubers are of top quality and can serve as a staple food. Arrowroot can be obtained from these tubers, although this is less effective as a thickening agent than the starch from D. japonica. The tubers contain about 20% starch, 75% water, 0.1% vitamin B1, and 10-15 mg% vitamin C. The fruit has a starch-rich flavor and is considered very beneficial for health. The antenna tubers of this plant are known to be very tasty and can be eaten. Carbon Farming - Stacked Crop.

Harvest

Harvest starts: 01/10
Harvest ends: 31/03

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: TaxonomyBotanical family
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: WCVP version 16, wcvp_names.csv: Dioscorea batatas Decne., name ID 239830, row 1134193; Dioscorea polystachya Turcz., name ID 240732, row 1134201
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 207195; name ID 239724; Dioscorea Plum. ex L.. Family column.

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.

  2. Catalogue of Life Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Dioscorea batatas

    Taxonomic data from WCVP, version 16.0, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20. This shares the Kew WCVP evidence base cited on this page.

    Supports: Taxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: COL 2026-08-20, NameUsage.tsv line 2071787, ID 6CWSL: Dioscorea batatas Decne. (synonym). Accepted target: Dioscorea polystachya Turcz., ID 36D57, line 97641.

    Source checked on .