A taxonomic study of the genus Dioscorea L. (Dioscoreaceae) in Korea based on morphological characters

The morphological characters were observed in six taxa in the genus Dioscorea of Korea (D. polys- tachya, D. japonica, D. nipponica, D. quinqueloba, D. tenuipes, and D. dokoro). The underground structure and the formation of bulbil were useful characters for separating sect. Enanatiophyllum from sect. Stenophora. The important characters for discriminating taxonomic entities were as follows: the position of the anther and the shape of the pistil in the microstructural characters, including the protuberance of the base of the petiole, the shape and color of the flower, the shape of the fruit, and the shape of the seed wing. Based on the results, a key to Korean Dioscorea is provided and the distribution of these species in Korea is described.