Wild Yam, Colic Root

Dioscoreavillosa

Genus
Dioscorea (dy-oh-SKOR-ee-uh)
Species
villosa (vil-OH-suh)
Synonym
Dioscorea hirticaulis
Dioscorea villosa var. hirticaulis
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade
Light Shade
Foliage
Herbaceous
Succulent
Height
8-10 ft. (2.4-3 m)
Spacing
12-15 in. (30-38 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Danger
Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Bloom Color
White/Near White
Bloom Time
Late Spring/Early Summer
Mid Summer
Other Details
Category
Herbs
Perennials
Vines and Climbers
Water Requirements
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Foliage Color
Bronze
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
May be a noxious weed or invasive
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)
From seed; direct sow after last frost
Seed Collecting
Bag seedheads to capture ripening seed
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Birmingham, Alabama

Cullman, Alabama

Morrilton, Arkansas

Coushatta, Louisiana

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Saucier, Mississippi

Frenchtown, New Jersey

Guysville, Ohio

Altoona, Pennsylvania

Dauphin, Pennsylvania

Trinity, Texas

Muscoda, Wisconsin

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Gardener's Notes:

2
positives
1
neutral
0
negative
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T
Chambers Estates, FL | January 2013 | neutral

I have only grown it in an enclosed greenhouse setting and found that it is very susceptible to thrips.

J
Muscoda, WI (Zone 4b) | January 2005 | positive

This plant is also native to most of Wisconsin (I'm in z4b) according to the UW Stevens Point site. I found it growing in the margins of...Read More

M
Erwin, TN (Zone 7a) | October 2002 | positive

Low (and slow) germination. Nice-looking plant; good growth,leaves are longer than wide,and have very conspicuous veins,leaves are alter...Read More

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