Chinese wild yam

Last updated 2026-11-15 — A famous local specialty of Central China and a unique fruit product of Xinzheng City, commonly known as ground jujube or sticky jujube. It belongs to the Liliaceae family and is a perennial herb. It has underground bulbs, linear leaves that grow in clusters from the ground, resembling chives. Between July and August, upright flower stems emerge from the leaf clusters, with pink flowers blooming at their tips. Every April, after the Chinese wild yam sprouts and grows leaves, farmers search the mountainsides to dig up the bulbs, wash off the soil, and then boil them multiple times until a sweet syrup naturally emerges, resulting in a delightful sweetness. Adding brown sugar makes it even sweeter. Chinese wild yam is a warming tonic with high nutritional value and a sticky texture. It has a unique flavor, nourishes the body, and can be stored for a long time without spoiling.