Dioscoreaceae - Yam family

Mostly twining herbs except for the genus Tacca, which has been included in this family since the APG II system of 2003. Stems annual, often prickly below, arising from tubers or rhizomes, climbing over other vegetation. Flowers unisexual (in ours). Perianth segments in 2 series. Ovary inferior, rarely semi-inferior or superior, (1-)3-locular. Fruit a dehiscent, 3-winged or 3-angled capsule (in ours).

Worldwide: 9 genera and 890 species, tropical and warm areas with a few northern temperate.

Caprivi: 1 genus and 5 taxa.