At the genetic (DNA) level, is there a difference between a sweet potato & a yam or are they the same thing?

Answer 1

Scientific names are Ipomoea batatas(sweet potato), DioscoreaSpecies(Yam). Plant families are CONVOLVULACEAE(S.P.), DIOSCOREACEAE(Yam). Plant groups are Dicotyledon (S.P.), Monocotyledon(Yam). Chromosome numbers 2n=90 (hexaploid)(S.P.), 2n=20(Yam). Flower character Monoecious(S.P.), Dioecious(Yam).

Several decades ago when orange flesh sweet potatoes were introduced in the southern United States producers and shippers desired to distinguish them from the more traditional white flesh types. The African word "nyami" referring to the starchy, edible root of the Dioscorea genus of plants was adopted in its English form, "yam". Yams in the U.S. are actually sweet potatoes with relatively moist texture and orange flesh. Although the terms are generally used interchangeably, the U.S. Department of Agriculture requires that the label "yam" always be accompanied by "sweet potato." The following information outlines several differences between sweet potatoes and yams.

Hope this answers your question, the obvious answer here is yes there is a difference.

Answer 2

Well, they're different species, so I guess they'd be different genetically. Sweet potatoes are from the western hemisphere, and yams are from Africa. One of the ways to tell different species apart is by a DNA analysis. So I'm gonna say yes.

Not that I've looked at their DNA or anything.