Dioscorea praehensilis Benth.

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Dioscorea praehensilis

Photo: Mike Bingham
D.R.Congo, Katanga; Phelps Dodge Kisanfu Camp.

Dioscorea praehensilis

Photo: Mike Bingham
Lusaka, Protea Hill Farm.

Dioscorea praehensilis

Photo: Mike Bingham
Lusaka, Protea Hill Farm.

Dioscorea praehensilis

Photo: Mike Bingham
Lusaka, Protea Hill Farm.

Dioscorea praehensilis

Photo: Mike Bingham
Lusaka, Protea Hill Farm.

Dioscorea praehensilis

Photo: Mike Bingham
Lusaka, Protea Hill Farm.

Dioscorea praehensilis

Photo: Mike Bingham
Lusaka, Protea Hill Farm.

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Species details: Click on each item to see an explanation of that item (Note: opens a new window)

Synonyms: Dioscorea odoratissima Pax
Common names:
Frequency:
Status: Native
Description:
Herbaceous twining vine reaching the tree canopy; main stem with catophylls, and scattered prickles, twining to right. Tuber up to 60 cm. long, descending vertically into the soil, often protected by spiny branches, white when young, turning brown. Leaves and stems without hairs.
Notes:
Derivation of specific name: praehensilis : prehensile
Habitat:
Altitude range: (metres)
Flowering time:Jan - Feb
Worldwide distribution: Widespread in West, East and Central Africa, reaching eastern Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe distribution: E
Growth form(s): Climber, liane.
Endemic status:
Red data list status:
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters: Display spot characters for this species
Literature:

Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 90. as Dioscorea odoratissima

Strugnell, A.M. (2006). A Checklist of the Spermatophytes of Mount Mulanje, Malawi Scripta Botanica Belgica 34 National Botanic Garden of Belgium Page 79.

White, F., Dowsett-Lemaire, F. & Chapman, J.D. (2001). Evergreen forest flora of Malawi Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Page 97. as Dioscorea odoratissima

Wilkin, P. (2009). Dioscoreaceae Flora Zambesiaca 12(2) Pages 127 - 129. (Includes a picture).


Other sources of information about Dioscorea praehensilis:

Our websites:

Flora of Caprivi: cultivated Dioscorea praehensilis
Flora of Malawi: Dioscorea praehensilis
Flora of Mozambique: Dioscorea praehensilis
Flora of Zambia: Dioscorea praehensilis

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Dioscorea praehensilis
African Plant Database: Dioscorea praehensilis
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Dioscorea praehensilis
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Dioscorea praehensilis
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Dioscorea praehensilis
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Dioscorea praehensilis
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Dioscorea praehensilis
JSTOR Plant Science: Dioscorea praehensilis
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Dioscorea praehensilis
Plants of the World Online: Dioscorea praehensilis
Tropicos: Dioscorea praehensilis
Wikipedia: Dioscorea praehensilis


Copyright: Mark Hyde, Bart Wursten, Petra Ballings and Meg Coates Palgrave, 2002-24

Hyde, M.A., Wursten, B.T., Ballings, P. & Coates Palgrave, M. (2024). Flora of Zimbabwe: Species information: Dioscorea praehensilis.
https://www.zimbabweflora.co.zw/speciesdata/species.php?species_id=115420, retrieved 28 March 2024

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