I know, not a very good shot. These things are tall, though, so I choose to blame their verticality for the poor framing rather than my tepid photography skills.
Also known as Dioscorea batatas, the Chinese yam is usually grown for its edible root; however, they also grow small edible bulbils that are reportedly tasty.
I say “reportedly” because I haven’t eaten any yet. Last year was their first year on my homestead so I saved the few tiny bulbils they produced to use for planting purposes.
As for where the report on this plant’s usefulness and edibility originally comes from, I give credit to Eric Toensmeier.
His book Paradise Lot is a must-read for those interested in transforming small yards and marginal spaces into permaculture Edens. It’s also just a fun book with a lot more personal storytelling than most gardening works.
(Note: I previously reviewed Paradise Lot here.)
As for Chinese yams, this year they’re growing a LOT faster than they did last year, thanks to their larger root mass. Here’s what the leaves look like close-up:
With a proper trellis these would be a lovely and long-lived addition to a garden. They’d likely also do well climbing trees in a food forest.
I look forward to seeing the yield of this fall’s bulbil production.
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9 responses to “Growing Chinese Yams/Yamberries/Dioscorea batatas in Florida”
Where might one get some starter plants of these Chinese yams?
I should have some before too long. Otherwise, you can sometimes get bulbils on e-bay.
Hiya David,
This is what popped up late this season from where I buried the Chinese Yam bulbils, does it look right to you.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/dth6j17p3qrccge/20170923_115404.jpg?dl=0
Early days I know but the leaves do not look like yours. I submitted a pl@ntnet identification request and they came up with dioscorea bulbifera but I doubt that. Your thoughts please. Fred formerly of Florida now in England. :)
Dear Sir, are there male and female versions of this plant ? If so, how to differentiate them ? Thanks.
Not that I have heard.
Eng there are male and female. I just had a presentation on this plant from a commercial producer. The differences are subtle, but both are edible and since they propagate almost entirely through root and bulbil, it shouldn’t matter too much from what I understand
I just ordered Chineses yam D. batana. I have limited space. How can I enjoy this yam without it taking over? Did you have success growing it in a container?
Hello,
Do you have any links to sellers of the angular edible dioscorea bulbifera you feature in this video? Or the oval kind? Or do you sell them yourself?
Many thanks for this information!
Chris
Sometimes I’ve seen similar types on Etsy.