Family: Dioscoreaceae
colic-root, wild yam, yam root
[Dioscorea cliffortiana Lam., more...]
Walter Lewis
Janice Stiefel
University of Wisconsin - Madison (WIS-VP)
Etymology: Dioscorea: for Dioscorides, ancient Greek naturalist
Plants: perennial, herbaceous vine up to 18' tall; stems twining; roots brownish rhizomes
Leaves: broad, heart-shaped base, pointed tip, strong ribs, netted veins
Flowers: white to cream, tiny, 3-6-parted; inflorescence either widely-branched clusters of 1-4 male flowers per node or 2"-4" spikes of female flowers; blooms May-Aug.
Fruits: greenish-gold, 3-winged capsule with very wide, winged seeds
Habitat: moderate moisture; woods, roadsides, river-bottom forests
Conservation Status: Native
Plants: perennial, herbaceous vine up to 18' tall; stems twining; roots brownish rhizomes
Leaves: broad, heart-shaped base, pointed tip, strong ribs, netted veins
Flowers: white to cream, tiny, 3-6-parted; inflorescence either widely-branched clusters of 1-4 male flowers per node or 2"-4" spikes of female flowers; blooms May-Aug.
Fruits: greenish-gold, 3-winged capsule with very wide, winged seeds
Habitat: moderate moisture; woods, roadsides, river-bottom forests
Conservation Status: Native
Flora of North America: Flora of North America Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 4, Wetland Indicator = FAC- USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos Purple Sage - Ethnobotanical Information: Detailed usage, preparation, and other helpful information Southwest School of Botanical Medicine: Britton & Brown Illustrated Flora - 2nd Edition (1913) "An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada"
Janice Stiefel
Walter Lewis
Corey Raimond
Botanical Illustration
Derek Anderson
Robert W. Freckmann
Christopher Noll
Christopher Noll
Marion Sheehan
Joanne Kline
Derek Anderson
Derek Anderson
Corey Raimond
