Tag: Dioscoreaceae

Despite common misconceptions, true yams are not in the nightshade family. This widespread botanical myth often confuses people, but true yams belong to an entirely different plant family, the *Dioscoreaceae*, and are unrelated to nightshade vegetables such as potatoes.

Despite being a starchy tuber, the vibrant purple ube is not part of the potato family. This is a common misconception, as the two are botanically unrelated and belong to entirely different plant families.

While standard potatoes belong to the nightshade family, yams do not. This article provides a clear botanical answer to the question: is yam part of the nightshade family, clarifying the common confusion with sweet potatoes and other tubers.

Over 95% of the world's yam crop is cultivated in Africa, where it serves as a crucial staple food. These versatile root vegetables belong to the Dioscoreaceae family, which is an entirely different botanical family from sweet potatoes, despite common consumer confusion.

With over 600 species within its classification, the genus *Dioscorea* is the official scientific or generic name for yam. This botanical fact helps to clarify the widespread confusion, especially in the United States, where sweet potatoes are often mislabeled and sold as yams.

There are over 600 species of true yams belonging to the genus *Dioscorea*, but only a small fraction are commonly cultivated for human consumption. This fact highlights the significant biodiversity of this staple food and provides a starting point for exploring **what category do yams fall under** from a botanical and nutritional perspective.