Common Names
Atlantic yam, China root, colicroot, devil’s bones, dioscorea, rheumatism root, wild yam, yam.

Description
A twining perennial vine that grows to 15 feet in height. Bottom 3 leaves are sometimes whorled. Plant has an alternate heart-shaped leaf base; and stems of tiny, greenish flowers grow opposite some of the leaves. Produces triangular capsules as fruit. Rootstock is slender, infrequently branched.

Flowering Period
May to July.

Habitat
Deciduous woods, thickets, swamps, and wet woods.

Harvest
Roots in fall.

Uses
This herb is used as an expectorant, emetic, antispasmodic, and diaphoretic.