Dioscorea

spp.

Yam (E); Name or Yampi (S); Pogo (Ch). Three or more species of yams are extensively cultivated in Panama. D. alata L., with winged stems and unlobed leaves; D. trifida L.f., with unwinged stems and lobed leaves; and D. cayenensis Link, with unwinged stems and unlobed leaves. Their large, edible roots look like elongated sweet potatoes. None of the native species are supposed to have edible roots, but they might be judiciously sampled after cooking. The roots are baked, boiled, or ground into flour to make breadstuffs. Three types are marketed in Darien and San Blas: name (D), uagup (Cu), uasup (Cu); nampi morando (D), uari (Cu); and nampi blanco (D), pukua (Cu). Peeled name is soaked in water in Darien and Panama, and the water is then drunk for rheumatism and arthritis.