Barbasco

At a glance

Origin / distribution: Mexico(Chinantec), BR

Cultural traditions: not documented

Recorded uses: Piscicide

Science studied: SAPOGENINS, DIOSGENIN

Research volume: 0 indexed records · volume only · methodology ↗

Legal status: Varies by jurisdiction; not assessed in this record.

Names and identity

Family: Dioscoreaceae

Scientific name: Dioscorea composita

Common names: Barbasco, barbasco, barbascojams, yam

POWO: 317823-1 · WCVP June 2026 / POWO backbone

History

The source record documents this plant in Mexico(Chinantec), BR.

It records these historical or traditional applications:

• Piscicide

This summary is limited to the cited source record.

Origins and distribution

• Mexico(Chinantec)
• BR

Documented cultural uses

• Piscicide

Cultural record detail

These entries are transcribed from the cited ethnobotanical source; they do not represent current advice or a claim of efficacy.

• Piscicide · Mexico(Chinantec) · "

Contemporary uses

Contemporary practice is not documented separately in this record.

Scientific research

Indexed records indicate research activity; they do not establish efficacy or safety.

Indexed research records

• DcMYB5 transcription factor regulates the biosynthesis of diosgenin by directly repressing CYP90B gene expression in Dioscorea composita. · 2026 source ↗
• Combined Transcriptome and Metabolome Analysis Reveals That DcWRKY11 Promotes Methyl Jasmonate-Induced Proanthocyanidin Biosynthesis in Dioscorea composita. · 2025 source ↗
• Comparative transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses reveal key regulatory gene for methyl jasmonate-induced steroidal saponins synthesis in Dioscorea composita. · 2024 source ↗

Scientific compounds

Chemical presence is not evidence of clinical efficacy.

• SAPOGENINS
• DIOSGENIN

Legality

No exact international trade listing was returned by the CITES checklist for this accepted name. Country-specific law is not assessed here.

Consult the CITES species checklist for current international and national requirements.

Reference images

Sources

Plants of the World Online (POWO) · Kew data terms; cite POWO/WCVP

World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP) · CC BY 3.0

CC0 · Dr. Duke raw CSV archive

Contributions and revisions

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