Title: Yam, Mexican
Additional Names: Giant yam; cabeza de negro
Literature References: Dioscorea macrostachya Benth., Dioscoreaceae or one of ~600 other Dioscoreae, native to subtropical countries. The underground tubers weigh as much as 90 lbs. and contain steroidal sapogenins. Account of nature, origins, cultivation and utilization of the useful members of the Dioscoreaceae: D. G. Coursey, Yams (Longmans, London, 1967) 230 pp. See also Dioscorea and Barbasco.
Use: In the partial synthesis of hormones having a steroid structure. |