Dioscorea alata (Purple yam; Greater yam; Raja Ala)

Dioscorea alata, also known as purple yam; greater yam; Raja Ala (රාජ අල) is a species of yam. The tubers are usually a vivid violet-purple to bright lavender in color, but some range in color from cream to plain white.

• Common Name In Sri Lanka: Greater yam (රාජ අල)
• Scientific Name: Dioscorea alata
• Habitat: In tropical areas of Asia and Africa, yams occur at the edges or in the canopy gaps of rainforests and woodlands.
• Average Height: 20-30 ft

Dioscorea alata is part of the catalog of ayurvedic medicinal plants of Sri Lanka.