DESCRIPTIONS OF SPECIES 257 



into three parts, which are again divided. The flowers are 

 green and purplish. The fruit is elHpsoid or ovoid, smooth, 

 yellowish, six-ribbed, and 3 to 4 millimeters in length. 



This species is widely distributed near the seashore in the 

 Philippines. 



Family DIOSCOREACEAE 



Genus DIOSCOREA 

 DIOSCOREA DIVARICATA Blanco. KiROI. 



Local names: Buloi (Bataan) ; diiyan (Pangasinan) ; kiroi (Tagalog) ; 

 uhog (Rizal). 



The underground tubers are fleshy, slender, and attain a 

 length of over 2 meters. They are of a fair quality either baked 

 or boiled. 



Dioscorea divaricata is a vine with slender stems armed 

 with scattered, short spines. The leaves are somewhat spear- 

 shaped and usually 10 to 18 centimeters in length. The flowers 

 are very small, yellowish green, and are borne on axillary in- 

 florescences. The fruit is divided into three narrow, semi-cir- 

 cular lobes, which are about 2 centimeters wide and long, and 

 contain flat, winged seeds. 



This species has been reported from Pangasinan, Bataan, 

 Rizal, and Laguna. It is not cultivated. 



DIOSCOREA ESCULENTA (Lour.) Burkill. Yam OR TuNGO. 



Local names: Aneg (Cagayan) ; hoga (Union); kamiging (Camarines) ; 

 tugi (Tayabas) ; tongo or tungo (Bulacan, Manila, Rizal). 



The tubers of this species are prepared like potatoes. There 

 are apparently several varieties, and the best of them are consid- 

 ered excellent. 



Dioscorea esculenta is a thorny, climbing vine. The leaves 

 are somewhat kidney-shaped at the base, pointed at the tip, and 

 somewhat hairy, the young ones densely so beneath. The roots 

 are protected by thorny, subterranean branches. The flowers 

 are green, about 4 millimeters in diameter, and are borne on 

 long, slender spikes, which usually occur singly in the axils of 

 the leaves. 



This species is generally distributed throughout Luzon and is 

 found in the Batanes Islands. It is also cultivated to some ex- 

 tent, and the yield of tubers is said to be very satisfactory. 



DIOSCOREA HISPIDA Dennst. Nami. 



Local names: Kalut, kulot, korot (Zambales) ; karote (Zamboanga) ; ka- 

 yos (Tayabas); korot (Samar, Leyte) ; nami (Mindoro, Rizal); namo 

 (Camarines) . 



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