{"id":332,"date":"2022-09-08T12:51:07","date_gmt":"2022-09-08T12:51:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/survivalfoodplants.com.au\/?post_type=product&p=332"},"modified":"2025-08-03T21:30:26","modified_gmt":"2025-08-03T21:30:26","slug":"yam","status":"publish","type":"product","link":"https:\/\/survivalfoodplants.com.au\/index.php\/product\/yam\/","title":{"rendered":"Yam"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

Botanical Name:<\/strong>\u00a0Dioscorea species<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Some common cultivars:<\/strong>\u00a0alata, bulbifera, cayenensis, dumetorum, esculenta, opposita, rotundata, trifida.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

How to Grow It<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

There are many yam species<\/b> (Dioscorea<\/i> spp.), grown across the tropics and subtropics, and even into some cooler climates with the right varieties. The most common edible types include D. alata<\/i> (purple yam), D. bulbifera<\/i> (air potato), D. opposita<\/i> (Chinese yam), and D. rotundata<\/i> (white yam).<\/p>\r\n

Yams are climbing perennials<\/b>, with long, vining stems that will happily twine up fences, trees, or trellises. The foliage is lush and ornamental, giving the garden a tropical feel while those giant tubers quietly bulk up underground<\/b>.<\/p>\r\n

Climate:<\/b> Most yams thrive in tropical and subtropical regions<\/b>, but varieties like Chinese yam<\/i> can be grown in cooler temperate areas.
Sun & soil:<\/b> Full sun to part shade works fine, though sun means faster growth. They love deep, loose, fertile soil<\/b>, but really, they\u2019ll grow in almost anything if they can get their roots down.
Water:<\/b> Very drought hardy once established. Growth really takes off with regular rain<\/b> or irrigation.
Best time to plant:<\/b> In spring<\/b> or the start of the wet season.
Propagation:<\/b> Easiest by planting chunks of tuber or crown pieces. Any root or tuber with an \u201ceye\u201d will sprout. You can also take tip cuttings<\/b> early in the season, and some species produce bulbils (small \u201cair potatoes\u201d) you can replant.<\/p>\r\n

A note on invasiveness:<\/b> Some yam varieties (especially D. bulbifera<\/i>) have become seriously invasive<\/b> in parts of the world, especially the southern U.S. Check your variety before planting and think about containment<\/b> (e.g., plant in a controlled spot or use trellising).<\/p>\r\n

Herbal & Nutrient Value<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

Yam is not just a belly-filler<\/b> \u2013 it\u2019s genuinely nutritious too.<\/p>\r\n

    \r\n
  • The tubers are rich in carbohydrates<\/b> for energy and contain good levels of vitamins A & C<\/b>.<\/li>\r\n
  • They\u2019re a solid source of potassium<\/b> (great for heart health and blood pressure balance) and minerals like calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus<\/b>.<\/li>\r\n
  • Some species are used in traditional medicine<\/b> for everything from digestive complaints to hormone balance. Chinese yam, for example, has been used as a tonic herb in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries.

    <\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

    Traditional & Home Remedies<\/b><\/p>\r\n

    Wild yam tea (D. villosa):<\/b> Simmer dried root for digestive cramps<\/b>.
    Poultices:<\/b> Yam mash used in folk medicine for joint pain<\/b>.
    Yam decoction:<\/b> Consumed for energy and convalescence<\/b> in Asia.

    <\/p>\r\n

    Using It in the Kitchen<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

    Yams are hugely versatile<\/b> in the kitchen.<\/p>\r\n

      \r\n
    • Tubers:<\/b> Most need peeling before use. Some are safe raw, but many need cooking to neutralize natural toxins<\/b>\u2014especially bitter or wild varieties.<\/li>\r\n
    • Texture & taste:<\/b> Similar to potato but a little more earthy and complex, with some varieties having a lovely sweetness (purple yam in particular).<\/li>\r\n
    • Bulbils:<\/b> Some yams, like D. bulbifera<\/i>, produce \u201cair potatoes\u201d (little aerial tubers). Some are edible delicacies; others are bitter or even toxic unless cooked \u2013 so know your variety.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

      Storage:<\/b> Tubers will keep for months<\/b> if stored like sweet potatoes \u2013 in a cool, dry, dark<\/b> place.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

      \"\"\r\n
      Flesh of the purple winged yam<\/em><\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

      Simple recipe ideas<\/b><\/p>\r\n

      – Simple Yam Chips:<\/b> Slice thin, toss with oil and salt, and bake until crisp.
      – Yam & Coconut Curry:<\/b> Dice yam, simmer in coconut milk with turmeric, ginger, and greens.
      – Mashed Yam:<\/b> Boil and mash with butter, garlic, and a dash of nutmeg for a sweeter twist on mashed potatoes.
      – Purple Yam Dessert (Ube Style):<\/b> Mash boiled purple yam with condensed milk for a Filipino-style sweet spread.
      – Yam Stir-Fry:<\/b> Parboil chunks, then toss in a wok with soy, ginger, and veg for a hearty side dish.<\/p>\r\n

      Other Uses<\/b><\/h3>\r\n
        \r\n
      • Animal fodder:<\/b> The vines and trimmings are happily eaten by goats and pigs.<\/li>\r\n
      • Soil builder:<\/b> The dense foliage can be chopped and dropped as mulch, improving soil over time.<\/li>\r\n
      • Ornamental value:<\/b> With its twining vines and heart-shaped leaves, yam doubles as an attractive \u201cliving screen\u201d in the garden.

        <\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

        Why it\u2019s a survival plant:<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\r\n

        Yams are incredibly resilient, long-lived, and generous<\/b>. One planting can keep producing year after year, and the tubers are a true calorie crop<\/b> \u2013 the kind of food you could live on in a pinch.<\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        Yam is a vigorous, twining perennial vine<\/b> that produces hefty, starchy tubers\u2014some as big as your arm\u2014that can keep a family well-fed through the year. Hardy, drought tolerant, and incredibly productive, it\u2019s one of the best survival foods<\/b>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":218,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"neve_meta_sidebar":"","neve_meta_container":"","neve_meta_enable_content_width":"off","neve_meta_content_width":100,"neve_meta_title_alignment":"","neve_meta_author_avatar":"","neve_post_elements_order":"","neve_meta_disable_header":"","neve_meta_disable_footer":"","neve_meta_disable_title":""},"product_brand":[],"product_cat":[39,42,45],"product_tag":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-332","1":"product","2":"type-product","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"product_cat-drought-resistant-plants","7":"product_cat-pot-and-container-plants","8":"product_cat-soups-and-curries","10":"first","11":"instock","12":"shipping-taxable","13":"product-type-simple"},"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t