Dioscorea polystachya

small tubers on vine with strongly veined long heart shaped leaves
Photo Credit: 
Don McCulley via Wiki CC

A rapidly spreading invasive vine up to 16 ft long. Underground tubers up to 10 lb and 3 ft deep make it hard to eradicate. Above ground bulbils easily spread the plant, and it can completely cover and kill natural vegetation. Mostly seen in disturbed areas, but can establish in high quality forests. Leaf arrangements vary from alternate to whorled to opposite on different portions of the plant. Use resources below to identify and eradicate. Yellowish or white flowers have a cinnamon fragrance. It is still available on the internet, but is prohibited for sale, propagation, transport, introduction or purchase in NY state.

Plant Information

Common Name(s): 
Chinese yam
Alternate Scientific Names: 
Dioscorea batatas
Type: 
Non-Native
Vines
Invasive Level: 
Invasive in Finger Lakes
Status: 
Prohibited invasive in NYS
Moisture: 
Moist
Light: 
Sun
Part Sun
Part Shade
Shade

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