Invasive Plant - Chinese Yam (Dioscorea polystachya)
Family
Dioscoreaceae
Synonyms
Dioscorea batatas
Distribution in Canada
Not known to occur in Canada.
Duration of life cycle
Perennial
Seed/Fruit type
True seed, although plants can produce vegetative "bulbils"
Seed identification features
Size
- length: 8.0–15.0 mm
- width: 7.0–10.0 mm
- thickness: 0.1 mm
Shape
- in outline: intact seed with wing is oblong (straight sides with rounded ends)
Surface texture
- smooth, fibrous
Colour
- light yellow around edges, becoming yellow towards centre
- central seed area is grey
Other structures
- seeds typically have a large papery wing that is torn or removed during processing
Similar species
No similar species
Photos
