Dioscorea

/ˌdaɪəˈskɔːriə/ noun

Definition

A genus of plants commonly known as yams, native to warm regions and cultivated for their edible starchy tubers.

Etymology

Named after Dioscorides, the ancient Greek physician and botanist. The genus name honors his influential work on medicinal plants written in the 1st century AD.

Kelly Says

A whole plant genus is named after one ancient Greek doctor who wrote the world's first encyclopedia of medicines—that's how legendary Dioscorides was in the botanical world.

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