Dioscorea balcanica
Species of herbaceous vine
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dioscorea balcanica, the Balkan yam,[1] is a herbaceous perennial in the family Dioscoreaceae.
| Dioscorea balcanica | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Embryophytes |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Spermatophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Dioscoreales |
| Family: | Dioscoreaceae |
| Genus: | Dioscorea |
| Species: | D. balcanica |
| Binomial name | |
| Dioscorea balcanica | |
Description
Dioscorea balcanica reaches a height of 2–5 m (7–16 ft). The flowers are cup-shaped, arranged in racemes, and produce loculicidal capsules.
Taxonomy
Dioscorea balcanica was named in 1914 by Nedeljko Košanin (1874–1934), manager of the Jevremovac Botanical Garden in Belgrade, Serbia from 1906 to 1934.[3]
Distribution
Dioscorea balcanica is native to the Balkans, in Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Albania.[1][4] It is a relict species and the only wild Dioscorea species found on the Balkan Peninsula where it is endemic. It is considered an endangered species and has been placed under protection.[1][5]
