There are about 15 species of Dioscorea genus known to contain diosgenin. Commercially important species are the following:

• Dioscorea composita, Dioscorea mexicana and Dioscorea floribunda found in Mexico, tubers are collected from wild plants.
• Dioscorea deltoidea and Dioscorea prazeri occurring wild in northwest and northeast Himalayas respectively in India.
• Dioscorea sylvatica (Africa).
• Dioscorea collettii, Dioscorea pathaica and Dioscorea nipponica (China).

Disogenin is also sourced from other species such as Trigonella foenum graecum (Leguminosae), sisal (Agave sisalona –Agavaceae) and Solanum species (S.laciniatum, S.marginatum).