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University of Missouri

MU Weed Science

Chinese Yam

Dioscorea batatas

Chinese Yam

Chinese Yam

Chinese Yam

Chinese Yam

Chinese Yam

Chinese Yam

Alternate names
Cinnamon Vine; Potato Vine

Weed Description
Herbaceous or slightly woody twining vines with fleshy or woody rootstocks, winding upward from left to right to approximately 13 feet in length. Found especially throughout the piedmont and mountainous areas of the southeastern United States.

Stems
Herbaceous or slightly woody vine that twines upward from left to right.

Flowers
Greenish-yellow, nearly sessile, in spikes or panicles at the ends of branches, from June-August.

Fruit
Membranous, 3-angled capsule, approximately 3/4 to 1 1/4 inches long and 3/4 inch in diameter.

Roots
Slender or stout, simple or branched, horizontal and woody.

Trouble identifying a weed?

For additional assistance identifying weeds, contact Dr. Kevin Braldly, State Extension Weed Scientist (bradleyke@missouri.edu).

Affiliates

MU Extension
Through the innovations and ideals of the University of Missouri, MU Extension improves lives, businesses and communities by focusing on solving Missouri's grand challenges around economic opportunity, educational access, and health and well-being.
CAFNR
College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources is changing the core components of society that impact what we eat, where we live and how we'll face tomorrow. CAFNR is at the forefront of research and education, working toward global sustainability.
Plant Science & Technology
The division is the sole academic program in the state to address issues related to plant production, plant protection and plant biology from the laboratory to the field.

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Published by Division of Plant Science & Technology, 52 Agriculture Lab, Columbia, MO 65211