The Dioscoreales is an order of mainly-tropical monocotyledenous flowering plants, including around 600 species within the Dioscoreaceae (Yam Family) and about 35 species in other genera. A few members of the Dioscoreales occur in temperate Europe and America. Most species are twining vines with large underground starchy tubers or surface caudexes but a few herbs are also included. Leaves are often heart shaped or lobed.
The Dioscoreaceae (yams) are important agricultural crops, although careful preparation is often required to inactivate or remove toxins from the tubers.
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Testudinaria elephantipes |
Plant Families with Succulent Species 