Yam, commonly known as yam, is also referred to as "Mashan" in some supermarkets in Hebei and other regions. This herb is a perennial plant with creeping stems that are often purple in color. Its roots are cylindrical and rich in starch and protein, making them edible. The leaves are opposite, ovate or elliptic in shape, and the flowers are milky and dioecious, meaning male and female flowers occur on separate plants.
**Morphological Characteristics of Yam:**
The rhizome of the yam is thick and straight, capable of growing up to one meter in length. The leaves are alternate, sometimes opposite, and rarely arranged in three rotations. They often appear between the buds, and their shapes vary from triangular-ovate to triangular-broad ovate, with 3 shallow to deep lobes. The flowers are small, greenish-white, and grow in spikelike clusters. Male inflorescences are erect, while female ones are more drooping. The fruit is a capsule with three wings, and the plant is a perennial vine that grows by climbing or rooting underground.
The yam has alternate leaves, which may be simple or palmately compound, with entire, lobed, or divided margins. Flowers are usually dioecious, with six perianth segments that are fused at the base. There are six stamens, though sometimes only three are present. Female flowers resemble male ones but lack functional stamens. The ovary is inferior and contains eight chambers, with three styles. The fruit can be either a capsule or a berry, and the seeds are winged, typically ovoid in shape with chestnut-colored wings about 6 mm wide.
**Growth Habits of Yam:**
There are two main types of yam. The first type has cylindrical stems and triangular-ovate to triangular-broad ovate leaves with a valvate base. The male inflorescence is spikelike and not drooping, with an ovary that splits into three parts. The capsules have three wings, and each chamber contains two seeds. The seeds are ovoid with thin, chestnut-colored wings, and the flowering period occurs from June to August, with fruits maturing from August to October.
The second type of yam reproduces vegetatively. It has cylindrical stems and heart-shaped leaves, and it does not produce flowers. Instead, it develops yam beans between the leaves. After the leaves wither in autumn and winter, the stems remain stalked. This type is often cultivated for its tubers, which are used in both culinary and medicinal applications.
Yams are widely grown in various climates and are valued for their nutritional content and versatility in cooking. They can be boiled, roasted, or mashed and are commonly used in traditional dishes across many cultures. Understanding the different types and growth habits of yam helps in better cultivation and utilization of this valuable crop.
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