Air-potato (Dioscorea bulbifera, Sp. Pl.: 1033 (1753))

Family: Dioscoreaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 1033 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Dioscorea

Vegetable: False

Observations: Trop. & Subtrop. Old World

Description

The Air-potato, scientifically named Dioscorea bulbifera, is a perennial vine belonging to the family Dioscoreaceae. This unique plant is characterized by its rapid growth and its ability to ascend and sprawl over other vegetation, often reaching significant heights when supported by trees and other structures. Native to the tropical and subtropical regions of the Old World, the Air-potato thrives in warm, humid environments.

One of the key identifiers of Dioscorea bulbifera is its bulbils, which resemble small potatoes. These bulbils, which form in the leaf axils, are the primary means of propagation for the plant. They drop to the ground and sprout new vines, allowing the species to spread efficiently across an area. The heart-shaped leaves are another distinctive feature, with a deep green color and a glossy finish that enhances their appeal.

Despite its appealing appearance, the Air-potato has become notorious in several regions, especially where it has been introduced outside its native range. In many of these areas, it is considered an invasive species due to its aggressive growth pattern, which can smother local vegetation and disrupt ecosystems. Management of this plant is challenging, and efforts often include manual removal, the use of herbicides, and biological control strategies.

From a botanical perspective, Dioscorea bulbifera holds historical significance as it was first classified by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in his seminal work “Species Plantarum” published in 1753. The comprehensive description by Linnaeus laid the foundation for subsequent studies and classification, cementing the plant’s place in botanical history.

In conclusion, the Air-potato is a notable plant both for its remarkable growth capabilities and its ecological impact. While it can add aesthetic value to landscapes with its lush foliage and unique bulbils, it requires careful management to prevent it from becoming a threat to native plant communities.

Common Names

Eng: air yam, aerial yam, air potato, air-potato, bitter yam, cheeky yam, potato yam
Deu: brotwurzel, yamswurzel
Por: cará-de-árvore, cará-do-ar, cará-moela
Fra: igname bulbifère, pousse en l’air
Spa: papa voladora, ñame de gunda
Swe: potatisjams
Khm: វល្លិស្ដំព្រៃ
En: Air-potato, Bitter yam, Cheeky yam, Aerial yam, Potato yam, Air yam, Air potato, Sosèyan, Ubi aung, Bulb bearing yam
Ar: ديسقوريا بصلية
As: কাঠ আলু
Bn: কাঠ আলু
Zh: 山慈菇, 山芋, 獨黃, 薢萆川, 金錦吊蝦蟆, 黄独
Cs: Smldinec bradavičnatý
Dv: މަތިވައް ކައްޓަލަ
Fr: Pousse en l’air, Igname bulbifère, Hoffe, Pomme en l’air
De: Brotwurzel, Yamswurzel
Ht: Masòkò
Ha: Kamu
Id: Gembolo
Km: វល្លិស្ដំព្រៃ
Ml: അടതാപ്പ്
Mr: डुकरकंद
Ne: गिठ्ठा
Pt: Cará-de-árvore, Cará-do-ar, Cará-moela
Pt-br: Inhame
Ru: Диоскорея клубненосная
Es: Papa voladora, Ñame de gunda, Gunda
Sv: Potatisjams
Zh-tw: 山芋
Ta: பண்ணுக்கிழங்கு
Th: ว่านสามพันตึง
To: Hoi
Zh-hant: 黃獨
Vi: Khoai trời

Synonyms

• Dioscorea bulbifera var. anthropophagorum ((A.Chev.) Summerh.)
• Dioscorea sativa var. rotunda (F.M.Bailey)
• Dioscorea rogersii (Prain & Burkill)
• Dioscorea bulbifera f. domestica ((Makino) Makino & Nemoto)
• Dioscorea sativa f. spontanea (Makino)
• Dioscorea hoffa (Cordem.)
• Dioscorea bulbifera var. brachybotryum (Y.Y.Hang & Y.F.Zhou)
• Dioscorea korrorensis (R.Knuth)
• Dioscorea crispata (Roxb.)
• Dioscorea longipetiolata (Baudon)
• Dioscorea bulbifera var. albotuberosa (Y.F.Zhou, Z.L.Xu & Y.Y.Hang)
• Dioscorea bulbifera var. elongata ((F.M.Bailey) Prain & Burkill)
• Dioscorea bulbifera var. crispata ((Roxb.) Prain)
• Dioscorea hofika (Jum. & H.Perrier)
• Dioscorea bulbifera var. heterophylla ((Roxb.) Prain & Burkill)
• Dioscorea bulbifera var. vera (Prain & Burkill)
• Dioscorea bulbifera var. sativa (Prain)
• Dioscorea pulchella (Roxb.)
• Dioscorea sativa var. elongata (F.M.Bailey)
• Helmia bulbifera ((L.) Kunth)
• Dioscorea bulbifera var. suavia (Prain & Burkill)
• Polynome bulbifera ((L.) Salisb.)
• Dioscorea tenuiflora (Schltdl.)
• Dioscorea latifolia (Benth.)
• Dioscorea bulbifera var. pulchella ((Roxb.) Prain)
• Dioscorea perrieri (R.Knuth)
• Dioscorea anthropophagorum (A.Chev.)
• Dioscorea sativa f. domestica (Makino)

Distribution

• Andaman Is. (native)
• Angola (native)
• Assam (native)
• Bangladesh (native)
• Benin (native)
• Borneo (native)
• Burkina (native)
• Burundi (native)
• Cambodia (native)
• Cameroon (native)
• Caprivi Strip (native)
• Caroline Is. (native)
• Central African Repu (native)
• Chad (native)
• China North-Central (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• Christmas I. (native)
• Congo (native)
• East Himalaya (native)
• Eritrea (native)
• Ethiopia (native)
• Gabon (native)
• Ghana (native)
• Guinea (native)
• Guinea-Bissau (native)
• Gulf of Guinea Is. (native)
• Hainan (native)
• India (native)
• Ivory Coast (native)
• Japan (native)
• Jawa (native)
• Kenya (native)
• Korea (native)
• Laccadive Is. (native)
• Laos (native)
• Lesser Sunda Is. (native)
• Liberia (native)
• Madagascar (native)
• Malawi (native)
• Malaya (native)
• Mali (native)
• Mozambique (native)
• Myanmar (native)
• Nansei-shoto (native)
• Nepal (native)
• New Guinea (native)
• Nigeria (native)
• Northern Territory (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Philippines (native)
• Queensland (native)
• Rwanda (native)
• Senegal (native)
• Sierra Leone (native)
• Sri Lanka (native)
• Sudan (native)
• Sulawesi (native)
• Sumatera (native)
• Taiwan (native)
• Tanzania (native)
• Thailand (native)
• Tibet (native)
• Togo (native)
• Uganda (native)
• Vietnam (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• Western Australia (native)
• Zambia (native)
• Zaïre (native)
• Zimbabwe (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Bahamas (introduced)
• Belize (introduced)
• Brazil Northeast (introduced)
• Brazil Southeast (introduced)
• Brazil West-Central (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Colombia (introduced)
• Comoros (introduced)
• Cook Is. (introduced)
• Costa Rica (introduced)
• Cuba (introduced)
• Dominican Republic (introduced)
• Ecuador (introduced)
• Fiji (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• French Guiana (introduced)
• Guatemala (introduced)
• Guyana (introduced)
• Haiti (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• Honduras (introduced)
• Jamaica (introduced)
• Kazan-retto (introduced)
• Leeward Is. (introduced)
• Marquesas (introduced)
• Mexico Southeast (introduced)
• Nicaragua (introduced)
• Niue (introduced)
• Ogasawara-shoto (introduced)
• Panamá (introduced)
• Peru (introduced)
• Puerto Rico (introduced)
• Samoa (introduced)
• Santa Cruz Is. (introduced)
• Seychelles (introduced)
• Society Is. (introduced)
• Suriname (introduced)
• Tonga (introduced)
• Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
• Tuamotu (introduced)
• Tubuai Is. (introduced)
• Venezuela (introduced)
• Wallis-Futuna Is. (introduced)
• Windward Is. (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Jul 10, 2021 by Isham Hadad (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 2, 2018 by seriot (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 13, 2021 by Matthew Graham (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 9, 2019 by Nathalie Duchoquet (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 22, 2017 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken May 22, 2017 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 22, 2017 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 22, 2017 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 22, 2017 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 22, 2017 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-nc)

Habit

Taken May 17, 2009 by EOL − Barry Rice (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Aug 21, 2014 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Anonymous (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − D. H. Lorence (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Aug 21, 2014 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Anonymous (cc-by-nc)

Taken Nov 6, 2018 by vini (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Sep 2, 2021 by Sébastien TRASBOT (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 28, 2021 by Sébastien TRASBOT (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 15, 2021 by A Farid (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Forest & Kim Starr (cc-by)

Other

Taken Aug 21, 2014 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Anonymous (cc-by-nc)

Taken May 28, 2021 by Sébastien TRASBOT (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2755489)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:323908-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Dioscorea bulbifera L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Vine, Forb/herb

Growth