Wild Yam

Dioscorea villosa

Dioscoareaceae (Sweet Potato Family)

▲ ▼ vines climbing trellises, other vines

▲ new leaf growth in spring

▲ ▼ leaves

▲ ▼ flowers

Wild Yam:

native to Ozarks and midwest
has alternate, heart-shaped, parallel-veined leaves
produces slender, semi-woody stems
similar in appearance invasive species, Chinese Yam (Dioscorea oppositifolia, Air Potato Vine, Cinnamon Vine), but wild yam has alternate leaves and lacks the aerial tubers (air potatoes) of Chinese Yam