Family: Dioscoreaceae
Dioscorea alata, also known as uhi or ube, is a fast-growing herbaceous perennial vine that belongs to the yam family. Uhi is a Polynesian introduction to Hawai‘i. It has heart-shaped, ovate leaves about 3-6 inches long and small flowers with a yellow to yellow-green calyx and no petals. Uhi produces a root crop of edible yams. These yams are an important starchy food source in many tropical to sub-tropical areas, though they were not as popular of a food staple in ancient Hawai‘i as other crops such as kalo. In addition to uhi (Dioscorea alata), two other yam species were brought to Hawai‘i as canoe plants, pi‘a (Dioscorea pentaphylla) and hoi (Dioscorea bulbifera).
Habitat & Uses
Uhi grows at elevations between 15 to 2000 ft. While it can persist after being left untended, it is not considered naturalized in Hawai‘i. Uhi does best in well-drained soil with full to partial sunlight and a trellis or tree to climb on. It is regularly cultivated in the West Indies, West Africa, Southeast Asia, and Central America. Aside from the primary culinary use of the edible tubers, uhi has a traditional Hawaiian medicinal use.
Plant Uses:
- Container plant
- Cultural significance
- Edible
- Erosion control
- Medicinal
- Ornamental
Plant Dangers:
- No dangers
