Dioscorea alata is a fast growing slender climbing plant with pointed heart shaped leaves.
Each plant produces around 2-3 tubers that have purple flesh and a browny exterior.
They are high in starch content, edible and can be cooked before being eaten.
Yams are popular staple food in the West Indies, West Africa and many Pacific Islands.
It is quite frost tender and needs staking as it is not of a robust nature.