wild yam

American  

noun

1. any of several uncultivated yams, especially Dioscorea villosa, of the U.S., having a woody, tuberous root.

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Etymology

Origin of wild yam

First recorded in 1835–45

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

wild yam

On the list were papaya, neem, asafoetida, figs, ginger, smartweed, wild yam, pennyroyal, black cohosh and angelica.

From Washington Times ● Jun. 14, 2019

Some women also take vitamin E for hot flashes, while others are turning to remedies based on such exotics as black cohosh, flaxseed, red clover, dong quai and wild yam.

From Time Magazine Archive

This peculiar formation of the beak very materially assists the bird in feeding on the potato-loke root, or rather fruit, of the soi, or wild yam, of which it is fond.

From The Call Of The South 1908 by Becke, Louis

He planted wild yam under her windows that its queer rattles might amuse her, and hop trees where their castanets would play gay music with every passing wind of fall.

From The Harvester by Stratton-Porter, Gene

Twisting and twining among the hazel, long stems of wild yam display pretty leaves in graceful strings, each leaf set at the angle which secures the greatest amount of light.

From Some Summer Days in Iowa by Lazell, Frederick John