Fiveleaf yam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids fiveleaf yam |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Dioscorea
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| Species: |
pentaphylla
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| Synonyms | |
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| Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) | |
|---|---|
| Energy | 343 kJ (82 kcal) |
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20 g
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0.08 g
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Protein
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1.73 g
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| Vitamins | Quantity
%DV†
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| Thiamine (B1) |
7%
0.086 mg |
| Riboflavin (B2) |
1%
0.014 mg |
| Niacin (B3) |
1%
0.13 mg |
| Pantothenic acid (B5) |
10%
0.48 mg |
| Vitamin B6 |
16%
0.209 mg |
| Folate (B9) |
3%
12 μg |
| Minerals | Quantity
%DV†
|
| Iron |
3%
0.43 mg |
| Magnesium |
3%
10 mg |
| Manganese |
13%
0.283 mg |
| Phosphorus |
6%
40 mg |
| Potassium |
17%
495 mg |
| Sodium |
1%
12 mg |
| Zinc |
3%
0.32 mg |
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Link to USDA Database entry
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| †Percentages estimated using US recommendations for adults. | |
The fiveleaf yam (scientific name: Dioscorea pentaphylla) is a type of flowering plant. It belongs to the yam family. This plant is known for its edible underground parts.
Contents
Where the Fiveleaf Yam Grows
This plant is originally from parts of Asia. You can find it in countries like China, India, Indonesia, and the Philippines. It also grows in New Guinea and northern Australia.
People grow the fiveleaf yam in many places. It is an important food crop. It has also spread naturally to Cuba and islands in the Pacific Ocean, including Hawaii.
What the Fiveleaf Yam Looks Like
The fiveleaf yam is a vine that can grow very long. It can reach up to 10 meters (about 33 feet) in length. The vine has small prickles. It wraps itself around other plants or objects. It always twines in a counterclockwise direction.
Its leaves are special. Each leaf is divided into 3 to 5 smaller parts called leaflets. Each leaflet can be up to 10 centimeters (about 4 inches) long.
The plant also makes small, horseshoe-shaped parts called bulbils. These bulbils are about one centimeter long. New plants can grow from these bulbils. The flowers of the fiveleaf yam grow in long clusters called spikes.
The Yam Tuber
The main part of the fiveleaf yam is its tuber. This is a thick, underground stem. It is where the plant stores its food. These tubers can grow quite large. Some can weigh up to 3 pounds (about 1.4 kilograms). They can also be found deep underground, sometimes more than a meter (about 3 feet) down.
How We Use Fiveleaf Yam
The tubers of the fiveleaf yam are edible. People cook them before eating. They are a good source of food in many regions.
