Dioscorea alata

[Neil Soares]

Hi, Photographed on my property at Shahapur [dead centre in photograph 1, D.bulbifera is to it's left]. It was planted.   D. alata can be mistaken for D.bulbifera [plenty of my photographs of which are available in the archives of this group]. According to Dr. Almeida's 'Flora of Maharashtra', one of the main differences between the 2 is that in the former the "stem climbs to the right" [in a clockwise direction - photographs 8 & 9], whereas in the latter, the "stem climbs to the left" [in an anti-clockwise direction].  Also seen are the characteristic 4 - winged / 4 - angled stems [photographs 5 & 6], often with 'bulb-like' tubers [photographs 6 & 7].   Spoke to Dr. Almeida - this plant does not occur in the wild but is cultivated as the "most esteemed yam of Europeans".  As it is an exotic, I will be destroying it.   Also don't think that Surajet Koley's plant posted a few days ago is D. alata.                             With regards,                             Neil Soares.

[Aarti S. Khale]

Dr Neil ji,

Nice to see pictures of this Yam.

This is the one that is Purple from inside?

Sorry to know that you will be destroying it.

I would have loved to grow it in our Nasik garden.

Please do not destroy it.

Regards,

Aarti

[surajitkoley]

Great Neil Sir, for the keys.

Thank you & Regards,

surajit