They are native to Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Some yams are also invasive plants, often considered a "noxious weed" outside cultivated areas. Some 870 species of yams are known, and 95% of these crops are grown in Africa.
Where are yams come from?
Yams originated in Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean. Africans call yams “nyami,” which is where we get the word “yam.” They are cylindrical and vary in size. Some of the largest yams have weighed more than 100 pounds and have been several feet long.
Where do yams grow wild?
Wild yam (Dioscorea villosa) grows naturally from New England to Minnesota and Ontario, then south to Virginia and Texas. It is found in moist woods, swamps, thickets and hedges.
Where are yams from in Africa?
Considered to be one of the most important crops in Africa, West African yams are grown in the “yam belt” which is a fertile region of land spanning across Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Nigeria, Cameroon, and Benin.
Is yam available in USA?
Yams are imported into the USA and Canada from the Caribbean or Latin America. Sweet potatoes are root vegetables that are native to the USA. They have delicate skin and a sweet tasting moist texture. Depending on the variety, sweet potato flesh can vary from white to orange and even purple.
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