Plant Details

Dioscorea japonica

Japanese Yam, Glutinous Yam

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

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Common names

13 names · 9 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Glutinous Yam
  • Japanese Yam[1]
Other languages (8)
Dutch
  • Japanse yam
French
  • Igname du Japon
Chinese (Simplified)
  • 日本山药[1]
  • 日本薯蓣[1]
Chinese (Traditional)
  • 日本山藥[1]
  • 日本薯蕷[1]
  • 薄葉野山藥[1]
Japanese
  • ヤマノイモ[1]
Korean
Russian
  • Диоскорея японская[1]
Spanish
Sources & name notes (1)

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

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Dioscorea japonica — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • ヤマノイモ — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 473362; Dioscorea japonica.
  • yamaimo — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 473362; Dioscorea japonica.
  • 참마 — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 473362; Dioscorea japonica.
  • 日本薯蓣 — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 473362; Dioscorea japonica.
  • 日本山药 — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 473362; Dioscorea japonica.
  • 日本山藥 — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 473362; Dioscorea japonica.
  • 日本薯蕷 — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 473362; Dioscorea japonica.
  • Диоскорея японская — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 473362; Dioscorea japonica.
  • 薄葉野山藥 — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 473362; Dioscorea japonica.
  • Japanese Yam — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 473362; Dioscorea japonica.

General information

Scientific name: Dioscorea japonica
Accepted name (Kew): Dioscorea japonica Thunb. View name reference ↗

Accepted in the cited Kew taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1] [2]
Botanical family: Dioscoreaceae

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

Sources [1]
Also known as: Japanese Yam, Glutinous Yam
Images: Google Images

Plant characteristics

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

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 7-12
Soil moisture:
Moist
Soil:
Sand (light) Loam (medium) Clay (heavy)
pH:
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
Light:
Full sun

Uses

Edible parts:
Leaves, Root
Edibility rating:
(4)
Medicinal rating:
(2)
Functions:
None

Description

Turnip - Cooked has a very pleasant and mild taste, with a floral texture. The roots can be eaten as a substitute for potatoes, and the starch can serve as a binding agent for other foods. Turnips contain about 1.9% protein, 20% carbohydrates, 0.1% fat, and 1% ash. Leaf tips and bulbs can also be cooked.

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: Botanical familyTaxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 207195; name ID 239724; Dioscorea Plum. ex L.. Family column.
    • Taxonomy: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 1134384; name ID 240312; Dioscorea japonica Thunb..

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.

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

    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 97375, ID 36CSX: Dioscorea japonica Thunb. (accepted).

    Source checked on .