Dioscorea choriandra
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Dioscorea choriandra faces severe pressure from agricultural expansion and urban development across its limited range in Madagascar's eastern rainforests. The species' tuberous roots are harvested for traditional medicine and food, leading to overexploitation of wild populations. Slash-and-burn agriculture for rice cultivation has fragmented its forest habitat, while mining activities further degrade remaining patches of suitable terrain.
Habitat
This endemic yam species inhabits Madagascar's eastern rainforest understory, typically growing in humid, well-drained soils at elevations between 800-1,500 meters. It requires the shade and moisture provided by intact forest canopy, making it particularly vulnerable to deforestation.
