Abstract

Dioscorea esculenta Burk. is an economic plant largely grown by the vegetable gardeners in the neighbourhood of Anakapalli (Vizagapatam District). It is cultivated in some places in the north of the district also. The underground tubers which the plant produces are largely used in the district as an agreeable vegetable. Well-developed tubers resemble potatoes in many respects, except for the numerous root fibres on them. In taste they are somewhat sweeter than the common potato and easily lend themselves suitable for the preparation of a variety of dishes. It is, hence, commonly nick-named as the 'Indian potato. It is a cheap root vegetable available in the local markets and is favoured universally by the rich and the poor. Its Telugu name is silakadam.

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