Dioscorea alata Se eds, Purple Yam, Ube, Winged Water Greater Yam

Dioscorea alata / Dioscorea rubella / Elephantodon eburnea Seeds

Botanical Name: Dioscorea alata

Common Name: Purple Yam, Ube, Winged Yam, Water Yam, Greater Yam

Family: Dioscoreaceae

Dioscorea alata is a vigorous and fast growing perennial climbing vine native to Southeast Asia, famous worldwide for producing stunning, vibrantly colored tubers. Capable of reaching impressive lengths of 10 to 15 meters, the plant features distinctive square stems with unique papery wings running along their edges. The foliage consists of lush, oversized, heart shaped bright green leaves that create a beautiful, dense vertical screen. Because of its incredibly rapid growth and large leaves, it is an excellent choice for quickly covering tall trellises, arbors, and fences with vibrant foliage.

As a dioecious plant, it occasionally produces small, inconspicuous greenish yellow flowers on drooping spikes, but its true visual and agricultural appeal lies elsewhere. The vine rarely produces true seeds from its small, three lobed capsules. Instead, it frequently develops unique aerial tubers, known as bulbils, that grow directly on the vines and drop to the ground to start new plants. It is globally cultivated for its massive underground tubers, which often feature brilliant violet purple flesh that is highly prized in culinary applications for making vibrant desserts, pastries, and ice creams.

Purple Yam thrives in warm tropical and subtropical climates and requires a long, frost free growing season to reach its full potential. It prefers full sun to partial shade and demands loose, well draining soil rich in organic matter to allow the large underground tubers to develop properly. A sturdy support system is absolutely essential to hold the heavy weight of the mature vines. The plant requires consistent, deep watering throughout the active summer growing season, making it a highly rewarding and visually striking addition to edible landscapes and large garden spaces.