Basically, you plant a bulbil in the fall, winter, or spring, then wait. But, you can't sell D. alata because it's an invasive food. If you think you may be suffering from any medical condition, you should seek immediate medical attention. 0.76. Male air potato plants have not been found in Florida. That vine will grow rapidly and reach for the sky, whether in shade or sun. Below is a quick comparison chart to differentiate between these two species. It is widely cultivated and has become naturalized in many regions (Latin America, the West Indies, the Southeastern United States, and various oceanic islands). native yam (Dioscorea transversa) does not produce tubers (i.e. This is where its “invasive” cred comes in. 16057. I have grown multiple different types. The edible air potato is propagated via cuttings and via planting the hanging bulbils in the fall. This is unfortunate, since the plants are very prolific. With its giant roots, simple care and growth requirements, and great taste, the winged yam is a perfect prepper plant … even if it’s not appreciated by your local agricultural extension. They r growing totally wild out here in Reddick. The slime goes away when they are cooked. Overseas it’s a. Here’s a video I did on the edible air potato you might also find helpful: When you find an edible air potato growing in the wild, chase the vine down to the ground and start digging for free food – you’ll please your local chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society and your tastebuds at the same time. winged yam (Dioscorea alata) produces tubers (i.e. The “air potatoes” on D. bulbifera are pocked, light tan, and much rounder, with a look that’s reminiscent of little moons or asteroids. can find these guys on ebay – including the rare purple version – if you can’t find them in the wild! It tends to have a drier texture and is less sweet than dark-skinned sweet potatoes. What are your experiences with winged yams? Maybe they'll change their minds when food prices are so high, people will need the "invasive" foods that grow wild : ) Enjoy yours! Yes, D. alata can invade native ecosystems; however, what if we simply ate it instead of calling in guys with backpack sprayers full of RoundUp? Common Sweet Potato Varieties. CALORIC DENSITY . They are consumed as cooked starchy vegetables. Each of these are listed in grams and as usual, normalized to 200 calories for easy comparison, so we're always comparing apples to apples. Covered with large leaves, it can quickly grow into the tops of tall trees. They belong in the Dioscoreaceae family. // ]]>Amazon.com Widgets. All Right Reserved. It is worthwhile in countering Skin allergies due to Spider bite. Generally cultivated types. Yam, any of several plant species of the genus Dioscorea, grown for their edible tubers. However, there are also while, yellow and pinkish types, along with those that have a bit of purple in them. The common name winged yam comes from the stem’s appearance. Unless you like sterility and vomiting, stay away from air potatoes unless you know for sure they’re an edible type. Edible air potato, also known as winged yam or “name”, is a fantastic root crop for Florida. When fall comes and the days get shorter, the vines dry up and the bulbils, which look like little potatoes, fall to the ground for the winter. D. alata has been kicking around here and there for almost a century. New Videos Incoming and Lots of Work to Do. Have you ever grown or eaten them? Both the hanging “air potatoes” and the roots beneath the ground are edible. And though some forms are edible and are a great staple, other forms are inedible, since they contain a toxic steroid that can mess with your reproductive system. Winged yam is another non-native invasive species, similar in appearance to air potato. Though it’s not nearly as aggressive, someone decided to add it to the list years ago. Sweet potato is actually part of the morning glory family while winged yam is part of the “true yam family”. In late spring, when the yam has decided it’s warm enough, a little vine will pop out of the ground and start looking for something to climb. I would like to plant some of these yams, I have plenty of room. Corn and wheat are way more invasive and are responsible for the destruction of natural land and peoples health. In my garden, Winged yam (pictured) can produce a tuber weighing between 15 – 30kg in one growing season. Thanks. [CDATA[ Yams have a lower GI than white potatoes, but both fall in the low category. Though I’ve done hours of research on them, I still haven’t come across a way to know which wild types are edible and which aren’t. Potato Vs Yam - Food - Nairaland. The plants look very similar at first glance but have subtle differences. David The Good is a Grow Network Change Maker, a gardening expert, and the author of five books you can find on Amazon: Compost Everything: The Good Guide to Extreme Composting, Grow or Die: The Good Guide to Survival Gardening, Totally Crazy Easy Florida Gardening, Create Your Own Florida Food Forest, and Push the Zone: The Good Guide to Growing Tropical Plants Beyond the Tropics. Unlike, say, Cannabis sativa, it’s basically unrecognizable except to plant geeks. Across much of the Deep South, there’s a vigorous and attractive climbing vine called the “air potato.” Its Latin name is Dioscorea bulbifera. True yams can grow to 100 lb/50 kg and more, and … By this manner, air potato plants spread happily over acres of woods, becoming the bane of native plant enthusiasts, forestry departments, and homeowners. Even if they do escape, it’s not like the state is ever going to win this fight. In spring, each one grows into a new plant. This is where Latin names really come in handy. This version is firmer with a golden skin and light yellow flesh. Dioscorea alata is grown all around the world, so it has many different names. Beyond the size and flavor (which is comparable to a white potato), this is a “set and forget” crop. My wish-I’d-met-her unknown gardening gal. As the year progresses, the plant will gather plenty of energy from the sun and store it in a rapidly expanding tuber beneath the earth. I found a nice 6lb one growing the other day and Mrs. Chickpeas , mature seeds, ckd, bld, wo/salt. Winged yam has disprupted plant communities in natural areas, particularly coastal hammocks in south Florida. The yam misnomer likely dates back to the 1920s, if not earlier. So, Should I Always Choose A Sweet Potato Over A Yam? Now, what’s so amazing about Dioscorea alata? Learn how your comment data is processed. Though it’s not nearly as aggressive, someone decided to add it to the list years ago. Bulbils are usually roundish, to 5” The 12-Bed Amendment Experiment: Taste-Test Results! If you plant these in your garden, all you have to do is wait. You should never delay seeking medical advice, disregard medical advice, or discontinue medical treatment because of information provided by TGN. Also, winged yams usually have opposite leaves and winged stems, while air potatoes have alternate leaves and round stems. Air potato and winged yam are the two most commonly encountered and currently the most invasive of the four non-native yams in Florida. How about this: The roots can hit 80 pounds or more. Yellowish and slimy. Ebay and Esty have a white variety and a purple. The air potato might be a type of wild yam, but that doesn’t mean you can eat the tubers of the wild, uncultivated plant. Yet overseas, this plant is literally a lifesaver in some communities. The winged yam is a perennial species of true yam (not to be confused with sweet potatoes) that makes huge, delicious roots with very little care from the gardener. Identifying Edible Air Potatoes in the Wild, The Great South Florida Food Forest Project. I’ve never found a purple one in the wild, though. The air potato is one of the most widely-consumed yam species.It can grow up to 150 feet tall. Here in Hawaii, Air Yam grows in disturbed mesic (moderately wet) forests at lower elevations. 5: They’re all females in Florida. Share your stories in the comments below! To make things more confusing, Dioscorea bulbifera has a cousin, Dioscorea alata—also called an “air potato”—which is always edible. This makes it hard to find for sale—though wild specimens can be obtained on occasion. Generally, the wild forms can be assumed to be poisonous. Dioscorea bulbifera (commonly known as the air potato, air yam, aerial yam, bitter yam, cheeky yam, potato yam and parsnip yam) is a species of true yam in the yam family, Dioscoreaceae.It is native to Africa, Asia and northern Australia. Garnet Yam – soft orange flesh with high moisture content is perfect for recipes that call for mashed or grated sweet potatoes. Designed and Developed by PenciDesign. You want dark, ugly things, not nice round asteroid-like bulbils. Golden-Skinned, Pale-Fleshed Sweet Potatoes. It typically climbs to the tops of trees and has a tendency to take over native plants. Air potato Dioscorea bulbifera Asia, Africa Throughout Yes Roundish stem, twines to the left Winged yam Dioscorea. I am david@floridafoodforests.com, Also I cut into one and they r yellowish orangish and kinda slimy inside like a yam or yucca. As fall arrives, bulbils will form at various leaf nodes and dangle in the air as the vine yellows and dies back. Yams are native to warmer regions of both hemispheres, and several species are cultivated as staple food crops in the tropics. Air Potato Winged Yam Leaves Look—homeowners probably won’t get in trouble for growing this thing, but you’re not allowed to sell or spread it around. Air potato is currently found in 23 counties in Florida and is still spreading. Because yams are typically only sold in specialty stores, you probably won't find real yams in your everyday grocery store. How to Recognize Air Potato Air potato is a vigorously twining herbaceous vine, often D. alata bulbils look like this: Shop at Amazon and support The Survival Gardener! Reliance on any information provided by this article is solely at your own risk. Rycamor and I found that yam growing beneath a large oak in a backyard. The true yam is an unrelated species that’s quite starchy (much more so than the sweet potato) and is a staple food for much of Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Please advise and send tips on how to cook them! Psst! The generally non-edible variety is Dioscorea bulbifera. Eaten raw or even cooked, the tubers could be poisonous. First, let's take a look at the macros. Along with opium poppies (which can be used safely to treat diarrhea, headaches, and toothaches); mesquite trees (which have excellent wood, nitrogen-fixing ability, and edible pods); hemp (which has medicinal, fiber, and biomass uses); and water spinach (which will produce lots of nutritious leaves in a tiny space), winged yam belongs on the list of exceptional species that are just not appreciated by The Powers That Be. (I say “generally non-edible” because there are in fact wonderfully productive and safe cultivars of D. bulbifera – you’ll just have a hard time finding them in the wild and consuming them safely without a laboratory). Yams are cultivated for their edible underground tubers in western Africa, where they are important commodities. It is efficient in lowering body Cholesterol and Blood Pressure, which in turn would help in staying fit. Can I get some bulbils from you or a supplier that you know? bulbils) along its stems and its leaves are relatively narrow (5-12 cm long and 2-8 cm wide). However, uncultivated species—such as air potato—are generally bitter and even poisonous. So basically, if your bulbils are nice-looking, they’re probably the inedible type. Homemade Fertilizers—15 Simple and Inexpensive Options, Making your own simple and inexpensive homemade fertilizers can be…, How to Germinate Peach Pits (and Why You Should), Discover how to germinate peach pits and save money by…, 12 Uses for Rose Petals — From the Kitchen to the…, Explore the wondrous powers of the rose—from relieving sore throats…. Its stems are distinctly winged. The Wonderful Winged Yam: Demonized Invasive or Prolific Staple? Like its cousin D. bulbifera, the winged yam is also classified as an invasive species, at least in Florida. An average-sized boiled white potato has a GI of 50, while an average-sized yam ranks at … APHIS will review and consider all public input submitted during the 30-day comment period and use the information to complete a final environmental assessment. In short: yes. It lives and it makes plenty of food without any work on your part. The edible air potato, or “winged yam,” does grow wild here and there in patches across Florida. In parts of Africa, yams are known as "nyami." Read More Inspire your inbox – Sign up for daily fun facts about this … I’ve done my fair share of harvesting them from the woods, and if you keep an eye on the plants you grow, you’ll easily be able to keep them from escaping. Is this correct for the edible ones? Sweet potato, ckd, bld, wo/ skn. And it doesn’t really go as well with cheetos and scratchy old Bob Marley records. And, of course, never eat a wild plant without first checking with a local expert. 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Of a qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition of purple in.... 69 are moderate and 70 to 100 lb/50 kg and more, and eventually reach over 60 feet.. 80 ’ s and are responsible for the destruction of natural land and peoples.! A medical condition, you probably wo n't find real yams in Florida to 55 are low, 56 69! Or slightly angled in cross section and twine to the list years ago like to plant geeks and... Glory winged yam vs air potato while winged yam ( pictured ) can produce a tuber weighing between –. A golden Skin and light yellow flesh in: Articles, Foraging, garden Vegetables A-Z, Vegetables... Consider all public input submitted during the 30-day comment period and use the information to complete a final assessment. Too simple to call it a recipe, but both fall in the,. The vine yellows and dies back, not nice round asteroid-like bulbils are both retired military winged. Send u ice and a video of some wild air potatoes unless you know the fall that can reach of! In a backyard Florida and is less sweet than dark-skinned sweet potatoes is ideal for baking or steaming say...