Dioscorea bulbifera (Commonly known as Air potato, Aerial yam, Potato yam, Bitter yam) –
Dioscoreaceae, an herbaceous twining vine with heart shaped leaves. The bulbils grow in the air and hang down from the vine. Air potatoes are a good source of flavonoids, which are powerful antioxidants with anti-inflammatory benefits. Air potatoes have been growing since ancient times, are native to Asia and Africa, and have been spread throughout the world. Today Air potatoes are being sold at local markets in Asia, Africa, the Pacific Islands, Northern Australia and the United States. It is an important vegetable crop of hilly region of Uttarakhand and the tubers are called ‘Genthi’. The tubers are harvested during October-November and stored for preparing / cooking vegetable during winter season by boiling / cooking it like potatoes. The curry is considered to provide warmth during night in snow clad region. These are also used in folk medicine and easily available in local market.
Reference
Surendra Parihar
Ex.Professor and Head.
Deptt. of Seed , Science and Technology.
Indian Agricultural Research Institute,
Pusa,
New Delhi,
India 110012