Lesser Yam or Dioscorea esculenta is a perennial, climbing plant with a tuberous rootstock. It has spines and it can climb up to about 2.4 m high and spread up to 1.8 m across. The leaves are often heart-shaped It is often cultivated as root crop in tropical areas in East Asia. Though some varieties can be poisonous, most are edible. The tuber has a yellow or white flesh. It is cooked and used as vegetable. It has a sweet and pleasant flavour similar to that of sweet potato or chestnuts.