Dioscorea polystachya Seeds | Chinese Yam
LATIN NAME: Dioscorea polystachya
COMMON NAME: Chinese Yam
Plant Profile
Dioscorea polystachya, commonly known as Chinese Yam, is a vine. It climbs quickly by twining stems, and it stands cold winters and deep, well-drained soils well. Plant it in full sun with deep, fertile ground. The flowering period doubles as a feeding season for bees and other pollinators. Put simply, this is a rewarding species for anyone willing to give it a suitable spot.
Science & Biotechnology
Research touching on Dioscorea polystachya ranges from the botany of the Dioscorea group to practical horticulture, including seed handling, propagation and the selection of superior forms. The Chinese yam has a real and distinguished place in the research. Continuing work by breeders and collectors keeps good seed of this species moving through the trade.
Uses & Benefits
Chinese Yam works well in borders, containers and dedicated beds. Ecologically, the Chinese yam is a generous vine of the garden. Its small, greenish-white flowers feed many small insects, and its heart-shaped, glossy foliage gives a fine, leafy cover to trellis and fence, while its long, fine tubers feed wildlife of the region. Grown on a trellis or a sunny fence, it makes a dense, glossy, leafy screen through the summer. It takes hold quickly and asks for no special treatment from then on.
Yams are a global staple and a medicinal cornerstone: the Chinese yam, Shan Yao, tonifies digestion and lungs in classical formulas, while wild-yam diosgenin was the original feedstock for synthesizing cortisone and early contraceptive steroids, a landmark in pharmaceutical history.
Growing from Seed
Seed is the natural starting point for Chinese Yam, and the process is uncomplicated. Sow the seeds evenly over the surface and cover lightly in a loose, well-drained seed compost, keep the sowing evenly moist, and give the pot or tray full sun. Pot the young plants on as they grow, harden them off gradually, and plant them into their final positions when sturdy.
Our Take
Its long record of traditional use, described above, gives the plant a story beyond ornament. Chinese Yam settles in quickly once it finds its footing. Attention to moisture in the first weeks pays off; later, the plant is forgiving.
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