Dioscorea alata

Common name :Greater Yam

Dioscorea alata, also known as greater yam, is one of the major cultivated species and most widely distributed throughout the tropics. Several traits of D. alata make it particularly valuable for commercial cultivation. These include high yield potential, ease of propagation, early growth vigour for weed suppression, and long storability of tubers

Dioscorea rotundata

Common name :Guinea Yam

Dioscorea rotundata, also known as guinea yam is the most popular and economically important yam in west and central Africa. It has a high nutritional quality and is suitable for a range of local food recipes.

Dioscorea dumetorum

Common name :Bitter Yam

Dioscorea dumetorum, also known as Trifoliate yam is an orphan crop, not traded internationally. Post-harvest hardening of the tubers of this species starts within 24 h after harvesting and renders the tubers inedible. Nonetheless, it is the most nutritious among the eight-yam species, commonly grown and consumed in West and Central Africa.

Dioscorea zingiberensis

Dioscorea zingiberensis is a traditional medicinal plant mainly grown in China for the production of diosgenin, an important pharmaceutical intermediate for the synthesis of steroid hormones. The rhizomes also produces steroidal saponins as part of a treatment for cardiovascular diseases.