Common Name: Long Yam

General Information

Long yam is a perennial climbing plant, producing annual stems up to 4 metres long from a tuberous rootstock. The wiry stems scramble over the ground or twine into other plants for support[].
The edible tuber is gathered from the wild for local use[]. The plant is sometimes cultivated for food in New Caledonia, and it was introduced to the Antilles in the early 1970's because of its special resistance and favourable agricultural characteristics[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Australia - New South Wales, Queensland, Northern Territory, Western Australia.

Habitat

Prefers rainforest clearings, also rarely found in open forest[]. Coastal and gallery rainforests, and also in Eucalyptus forests[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial Climber
Height	4.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of tropical and subtropical areas.
Succeeds in full sun, but is also tolerant of deep shade[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required[].

Edible Uses

Tuber - raw or cooked[, , , ]. Unusually for this genus, the tubers can be eaten raw, though they are said to taste like a crisp but slimy potato[]. When boiled like a carrot, the flavour is pleasant, like a waxy potato[]. Small and pencil-like, the tuber can be buried quite deep in the soil[].

Medicinal

The tubers are used for medicinal purposes by the native Aborigines[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - germinates readily[].

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