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38. Yam 

 Dioscorea spp. 



These roots may be safely eaten only when well cooked. Yams 

 are found mostly in cultivation. Large slender vines grow from 

 these underground tubers which resemble sweet potatoes. 

 They are prepared and used much as potatoes but are coarser. 

 Yams are often huge, nearly black, very hard and covered with 

 many black hair-like offshoots. There are many varieties, 

 which differ in the shape of the leaves and the quality of the 

 tubers. The variety usually considered best is called yampee 9 

 yampi or nama yampi. 



