Dioscorea batata Family: Dioscoreaceae (~600 species) Common Name(s): Chinese Yam Grown by: Katherine Pyle, Berkeley Dioscorea - for Dioscorides, 1st Century Greek physician and herbalist batata - derived Haitian vernacular for sweet potato Katherine offered us small tubers formed on the vine which she said grow to edible tubers in 12 years. She recommends storing the little “seed” tubers in a cool but frostfree place over winter and planting in soil once past frost. She enjoys this yam for the beauty of its vining, scrambling foliage. The flowers B.I.O. of Botanical Interest Only, unless you are the pollinator of choice, of course. Many forms are grown for their colorful foliage. .. Photo by Steve Morse