Abstract
The present paper depicts an overview and elucidated assessment of published data and herbarium records on the diversity, distribution pattern, endemism and threat status of Dioscorea spp. to get availed with extant stature and design strategies for its effective conservation. Dioscorea nested under family Dioscoreceae is a pantropical genus comprising about 682 species. In India, the genus is known to possess 42 taxa (41 species and one variety). Dioscorea L. is highly regarded for its nutritional and medicinal values having a significant role in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries. Several species of Dioscorea contain various biologically active molecules that show anti-arthritic, anti-inflammatory and anti-fertility effects and thereby known for alleviating medicinal curses.
Highlights
Dioscorea L. commonly known as Yam is the type genus of the family Dioscoreaceae comprising about 682 species distributed across the world with higher diversity in Southeast Asia, Africa, Australia and tropical America [1]
In India, the genus Dioscorea is represented by 42 taxa (41 species and one variety) occurring in different regions of the country displaying about 6% of the total diversity found across the globe (Table 1)
Of the total taxa found in India, two species viz. D. vexans Prain & Burkill and D. serpenticola Hoque & P.K.Mukh. have been found to be endemic to the country occurring exclusively in Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Table 1)
Summary
Dioscorea L. commonly known as Yam is the type genus of the family Dioscoreaceae comprising about 682 species distributed across the world with higher diversity in Southeast Asia, Africa, Australia and tropical America [1]. Dioscorea was placed along with Smilax L. in the section II of the order Asparagi [7]. It was separated from Smilacaceae and nested it under Dioscoreaceae [8].
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