Dioscorea abyssinica Hochst. ex Kunth

A yam. It is a climber. It grows 4 m high. It can have vines 20 m long. It does not have spines. It twines right-handed. It usually produces one tuber. The tuber is deep in the ground and therefore hard to harvest. The leaves are simple and alternate. The leaves are a rounded heart shape. The flowers are white and cup shaped. The fruit are capsules. There are several cultivated forms.

A tropical plant. It grows in the Sahel region. It can grow in arid places. It suits areas with an alternating wet and dry season. It is best in a sunny position in dry soil. It cannot tolerate frost.

The tubers need to be boiled or roasted.

Can be grown by seedlings.