Dioscorea zingiberensis | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Monocots |
Order: | Dioscoreales |
Family: | Dioscoreaceae |
Genus: | Dioscorea |
Species: | D. zingiberensis
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Binomial name | |
Dioscorea zingiberensis C.H. Wright[1]
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Synonyms[2] | |
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Dioscorea zingiberensis, is a species of yam, a tuberous root vegetable. It has been cultivated in China for the production of diosgenin,[1] an important pharmaceutical intermediate for the synthesis of steroid hormones.[3][4] The rhizomes also produces steroidal saponins (TSS) as part of a treatment for cardiovascular disease.[5]