Dioscorea tokoro




Family Dioscoreaceae
Scientific name Dioscorea tokoro Makino
Synonyms Dioscorea saidae R. Knuth; Dioscorea wichurae Uline ex R. Knuth; Dioscorea yokusai Prain & Burkill
Common name (Japanese common name) oni-dokoro (オニドコロ, 鬼野老 [meaning: tiger tokoro (tokoro = eatable roots)])
(English common name) none
Distribution (Japan) Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu
(Other nations) China
Habitat Forest edge
Chromosomal number 2n=20
Description Leaves 5-11cm wide. Flowers pale green, male tepals 1mm long, flowering in July to August. Fruits 18mm long. Vine. Perennial plants.
Reference Dioscorea tokoro Makino
Dioscorea tokoro Makino
Steroid saponins (US Patent 4482706/1984)
Macrolide compounds (US Patent 5057536/1991)
Macrolide compounds (US Patent 5108992/1992)
Method of cultivating animal or plant cells (US Patent 5180676/1993)
Pharmaceutical composition and preparation for the treatment of snoring and the use thereof (US Patent 5565201/1996)
Herbal compositions for prostate conditions (US Patent 6790464/2004)
Sapogenin-based treatment (US Patent 7008929/2006)
Hair treatment composition and hair cosmetic for damaged hair (US Patent 20060165636)
Cosmetic composition and production thereof (US Patent 20060018867)



Male plants


July 2006
at mountane forest
July 2006
at mountane forest
July 2006
at mountane forest


July 2006
at mountane forest
July 2006
at mountane forest



Female plants


July 2006
at mountane forest
July 2006
at mountane forest
July 2006
at mountane forest
July 2006
at mountane forest


July 2006
at mountane forest