Dioscorea praehensilis Benth.

A yam. It is a climbing herb. The vines are 8-15 m long. It produces one tuber each year. This is 5 cm across and 60 cm long. It extends down into the ground. The stems twine to the right. It has pale brown prickles. These are more common near the base. The leaves are opposite. They are 4-10 cm long by 3-5 cm wide. They are heart shaped at the base. The leaves are entire and taper to the tip. The tip can be long. The tubers develop annually. The flowers are in a spike in the axils of leaves. Male and female flowers are separate and female flowers hang down.

A tropical plant. It grows in forest and grassland. In Central Africa it grows from 600-1,700 m altitude. It grows in drier areas. In Malawi it grows at 600-700 m altitude. In Tanzania it grows between 800-1,800 m above sea level It grows in areas with rainfall between 1,400-2,400 mm. It is best in humus rich soil.

The tubers are cooked and eaten as a starchy staple. The tubers can be bitter and then need careful preparation. They need to be peeled and soaked before using. Young tubers are chosen. The young leaves are also recorded as eaten. (Caution)

A piece of the tuber is used for replanting. It is best with a support to climb over.