Common Name:

General Information

Dioscorea zingiberensis is a perennial, climbing plant producing annual stems from a large, horizontam, underground tuber. The stems can be 5 - 10 metres long, they scramble over the ground, twining to the left as they grow into the surrounding vegetation[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine. It is a major source of the medicinal compound diosgenin, much used in the pharmaceutical industry[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - central and southern China, Vietnam

Habitat

Mixed forests; at elevations from 100 - 1,800 metres[]. Along the banks of larger rivers in open forest; at elevations around 900 - 1,000 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial Climber
Height	8.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

The plant is usually dioecious, though monoecious forms are known. Both male and female forms of dioecious plants will need to be grown if seed is required[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The tuber is used as a cooling medicine[]. An important traditional medicine[].
The tuber is collected near the end of the growing season. when the plant begins to wither. It is well washed and then dried in the sun or in ovens[]

The rhizome contains around 2 - 2.5% of diosgenin. It is an extremely important, commercial source of this medicinal compound, which is widely used in the pharmaceutical industry for the synthesis of steroidal drugs such as sex hormones. anti-inflammatory corticosteroids. contraceptive drugs and anabolic steroids[, ].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -

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