Similar Species for: Dioscorea oppositifolia L.
Dioscorea villosa
Wild Yam, Dioscorea villosa (D. quaternata), is our native yam species that does not form dense vine infestations nor have aerial tubers (bulbils). Leaves are usually hairy underneath and heart-shaped. Lower leaves are typically whorled, 4-6 leaves in a whorl, decreasing in number up the stem. Upper leaves are alternate.
Smilax spp.
Greenbrier, Smilax spp., have foliage resembling the invasive Dioscorea spp. Greenbriers are native vines which typically have thorns and green-to-purple berries but no aerial potatoes. Smooth carrion flower, Smilax herbacea, is a non-thorny native herbaceous vine with numerous tendrils and globular clusters of greenish flowers with berries. Huger’s carrion flower, S. hugeri, is a spineless native perennial herb 1 to 2 feet tall with round clusters of greenish flowers followed by berries.