Dioscorea bulbifera L.

Gembolo, or air potato (Dioscorea bulbifera), is a climbing plant up to 10 meters long of the Dioscoreaceae family, distributed across tropical Asia, Africa, and the Americas, with distribution centers in Indonesia and Malaysia. In several parts of Africa, its tuber is an important carbohydrate source for local communities. In Indonesia, especially on Java, gembolo is also believed to address swelling, rheumatism, and diarrhea.

Generally found in lowlands with moist soil conditions, at elevations up to 900 m above sea level. Grows well in sandy loam soil with good drainage, average rainfall of 1,200-2,600 mm/year, a temperature range of 20-30 °C, and a soil acidity of pH 6-6.7.

• Tuber single, located near the soil surface, round-flattened, 0.5–2 kg in size, gray-brown, turning orange when cut due to oxidation.
• Stem round, jointed, pale green, hairless, twining to the left.
• Leaves simple, somewhat rounded and heart-shaped, smooth margins, curved venation, 15-20 cm long and 7-14 cm wide, alternately arranged.
• Flowers compound, spike-shaped, emerging in the leaf axils, yellow.
• Fruit brown, 3-4 cm in diameter.
• Seeds bright brown, winged.
   

Propagated using seed, aerial bulbils, and tuber cuttings. During the dry season (a 1-6 month dormancy period) and approaching the rainy season, the tuber sprouts and can be used as seed stock.

Alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides, phenol, tannins, stigmasterol, mono-arachidin, diosbulbin B, docosyl ferulate, tristin, adenosine.

Treats swelling, rheumatism, diarrhea, intestinal worms, syphilis, hemorrhoids, diabetes, bloating, dysentery, fungal and parasitic skin infections, and skin disorders.

• Take the air potato tuber, peel the skin, and wash thoroughly and repeatedly.
• Cut the tuber lengthwise to make drying easier.
• Dry briefly in an oven, then continue drying under the sun.
• Pack the dried material in a clean, airtight container.

Uwi klapa (Jakarta), Huwi (Sunda), Gembolo (Central Java), Kambubu (Madura), Ubi ipit (Bali), Kapupu (Halmahera).