Plants
water yam
Dioscorea alata L.
Family: Dioscoreaceae · Genus: Dioscorea
greater yam, winged yam
Asian-origin yam naturalized throughout tropical Brazil. Vigorous vine with winged stems, large tubers (up to 5 kg). More productive than purple yam (Dioscorea trifida). Acts as climbing cover species in syntropic systems.
Götsch succession
- Götsch stage
- Placenta II
- Ecological role
- Pioneer
- Primary stratum
- Low
- Strata
- Low, Ground cover
- Biomass class
- Fertilizer biomass
Environment
- Light requirement
- Partial sun
- Water requirement
- High
- Drought tolerance
- Moderate
- Soil pH range
- 5–7
- Preferred soil texture
- Loamy, Clayey
- Hardiness zones
- 10–13
Morphology
- Mature height
- 3–10 m
- Recommended spacing
- 1–2 m
- Root system
- Taproot
- Root depth
- Deep
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Lifespan
- 1 year
- Time to first harvest
- 9 months
Biomes & climate
- Amazon Naturalized
- Atlantic Forest Naturalized
- Cerrado Suitable
Köppen classes
- Tropical rainforest (Af) Suitable
- Tropical monsoon (Am) Suitable
- Tropical savanna with dry winter (Aw) Suitable
Where it fits in a guild
Water yam takes the Low stratum in the Placenta II phase of succession — in a guild it shares the line with species from the other strata, each harvesting light at its own height, in its own time.
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🪴 Cultivation
Thrives in warm, humid tropical climate; optimum growth 25–30 °C, grows poorly below 22 °C and is killed by frost. Well-drained loamy soils rich in organic matter are ideal (optimum pH 5.5–6.5, tolerates acid to mildly alkaline soils). Tubers ready in 6–9 months; needs strong vertical support.
❓ Frequently asked questions
How long until the first harvest of water yam?
The first harvest of water yam comes around 9 months after planting.
What spacing is recommended for water yam?
The recommended spacing for water yam is 1–2 m.
How tall does water yam grow?
At maturity, water yam reaches 3–10 m tall.
What stage and stratum does water yam occupy in a syntropic system?
In a syntropic system, water yam belongs to the placenta ii stage, occupying the low stratum.
Functions
Propagation
Division
Citations
- PFAF Plant Database — Dioscorea alata (Water Yam) (ph_min, ph_max, soil_texture_preference, hardiness_zone_min, hardiness_zone_max, cultivation_notes)
- PlantVillage (Penn State) — Yams: description, cultivation and propagation (cultivation_notes, time_to_first_harvest_months, drought_tolerance)
External references
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