Scientific Differences Between Sweet Potatoes & Yams

SCIENTIFIC DIFFERENCES BETWEEN
SWEET POTATOES & YAMS

Factor Sweet Potato True Yam

1. Scientific Name Ipomoea batatas Dioscorea Species

2. Plant family Morning Glory (Convolvulaceae) Yam (Dioscoreaceae)

3. Plant group Dicotyledon Monocotyledon

4. Chromosome number 2n=90 (hexaploid) 2n=20

5. Flower character Monoecious Dioecious

6. Origin Tropical America (Peru, Ecuador) West Africa, Asia

7. Historical beginning Prehistoric 50,000 BC

8. Edible storage organ Storage root Tuber

9. Number/plant 4 to 10 1 to 5

10. Appearance Smooth, with thin skin Rough, scaly

11. Shape Short, blocky, tapered ends Long, cylindrical, some with "toes"

12. Dry matter 22% to 28% 20% to 35%

13. Mouth feel Moist* Dry

14. Taste Sweet* Starchy

15. Beta-Carotene (Vitamin A) High (orange varieties)* Very low

16. Propagation Transplants/vine cuttings Tuber pieces

17. Growing season 90 to 150 days (120 for Jewel) 180 to 360 days

18. Maturity None At senescence

19. Storage (Cured at 80^o to 86^oF.) 55^o to 60^oF. 54^o to 61^oF.

20. Climatic requirements Tropical and temperate Tropical

21. Availability Grown in USA Imported from Caribbean

* Characteristic of most sweet potato varieties grown in the United States.

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