Vetrilai Valli Kilangu, Air Potato, Air Yam, Bitter Yam, Cheeky Yam, Potato Yam, Aerial Yam

This plant is known by various names globally and regionally in India, which helps in broader SEO targeting.

Botanical Name

• Scientific Name: Dioscorea bulbifera

• Family: Dioscoreaceae (Yam Family)

Common Names

• English: Air Potato, Air Yam, Bitter Yam, Cheeky Yam, Potato Yam, Aerial Yam.

• Tamil: Vetrilai Valli Kilangu (வெற்றிலை வள்ளிக்கிழங்கு), Pannukizhangu (பண்ணுக்கிழங்கு), Veththala Valli (வெத்தல வள்ளி).

• Malayalam: Adathaapu (അടതാപ്പ്), Kattukachil, Pannikizhangu.

• Hindi: Bana Alu (बन आलु), Pita Alu, Goicha Alu.

• Sanskrit: Varahi (वाराही), Shukari.

• Kannada: Hegga genasu.

• Telugu: Malakakaya pendalamu.

Essential Planting Information

It is important to note that Vetrilai Valli Kilangu is not typically grown from true seeds (from flowers), but from bulbils (aerial tubers).

Bulbils vs. Seeds

• The "Seeds": What most people call "seeds" for this plant are actually the small, potato-like growths that appear in the leaf axils.

• Growth Habit: It is a vigorous climber. The leaves are heart-shaped and look very similar to Betel leaves (Vetrilai), which is how it earned its Tamil name.

• Edibility: While many wild varieties are toxic/bitter, the cultivated Vetrilai Valli is edible and used in traditional stir-fries and curries.

Quick Planting Guide

1. Season: Best planted at the beginning of the rainy season or spring.

2. Soil: Prefers well-drained, sandy loam soil.

3. Depth: Bury the bulbil about 2–3 inches deep in the soil.

4. Support: Since it is a vine, it requires a trellis, fence, or a large tree to climb. It can grow up to 20 feet or more.

5. Harvest: Aerial tubers are ready when they naturally fall off the vine or when the vine begins to yellow in winter.