Reproduction

Wild yams grow best in soft, fertile soil.
There they are able to grow and climb up in the Spring.
As Dioscorea villosa L. matures, it will eventually flower during June and July.
The white flowers then utilize flies to pollinate other plants.
Wild yams that have been successfully pollinated will grow triangular, three-sided fruits as seen in the picture to the right.
Late in the fall the fruits open up and release the winged-seeds that are dispersed by the wind.
The seed then remains in the ground until the next spring when it can restart the process.

                                                    Previous Page ---- Home ---- Next Page