Taxonomic identity of Dioscorea coreana (Prain & Burkill) R. Kunth

Abstract

The identity of Dioscorea coreana (Prain & Burkill) R. Kunth is recognized during the re-identification process of Korean Dioscorea specimens. Given the relatively few pieces of information, including few descriptions and research papers, this species has been misidentified as D. tokoro, which has a similar leaf shape, but D. coreana is distinguished from D. tokoro by the absence of a pedicel in the male flower, the green color of the tepal, and the shapes of the fruit and seed. Thus, detailed descriptions, illustrations, and photographs of D. coreana and a key to the Korean Dioscorea, including this species, are presented.