While often confused with the sweet potato in North American grocery stores, the is a distinct, versatile tuber with a deep history rooted in West African and Asian cultures. Belonging to the genus Dioscorea , yams are monocots more closely related to lilies and grasses than to common potatoes. Botanical and Physical Identity
They feature a rough, scaly, bark-like skin that can range from dark brown to light pink. While often confused with the sweet potato in
Yams are thick tubers that grow on climbing vines. the is a distinct
True yams can grow to massive sizes, sometimes reaching 5 feet in length and weighing over 100 pounds. While often confused with the sweet potato in