Dioscorea dumetorum

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Botanical Description: Dioscorea dumetorum, commonly known as the bitter yam, is a species of yam in the Dioscoreaceae family. It is notable for its tubers, which are an important food source in some regions but require careful preparation due to their bitter and potentially toxic compounds Typically trifoliate, meaning each leaf is divided into three leaflets. Twining, herbaceous vines that can climb on supports. The underground tubers are cylindrical and often have a bitter taste due to the presence of certain alkaloids. They can vary in size but are generally smaller than those of other yam species.
Flowering/Fruiting: Flowering often occurs from May to August.
Plant Uses: Food (The tubers are consumed as a food source but must be properly processed to remove the bitterness and toxic compounds. They are often boiled, soaked, or fermented to make them safe for consumption) and Traditional Medicine.
Origin: Introduced
Locality: Aluu Rivers State.
Habit: Climber
Mode: Cultivated