Quercus

Yellow Yam

Dioscorea villosa

Native to Kentucky (estimated)

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

1CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including KY

Genus host records with ranges including KY · Dioscorea

  • Spodoptera eridaniaSouthern Armyworm Moth
Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)
0BeesSoutheastern regional records
0Specialist beesPollen specialists
—BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim

No records yet · Ants · Beetles · Flies · Adult butterflies / moths · Other wasps · Other insects

Growing and identification

Plant details

Family
Dioscoreaceae
Hardiness
Zones 6a–9b
Soil pH
Neutral to alkaline
Flower color
Yellow, green or white

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope
Also known as

Wild Yam

Conservation status

Kentucky rankS5
Global rankG4G5 [G5]
KY statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source Global and federal source

In your garden

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Sources