Scientific name: Apios americana
Synonym: Apios tuberosa
Family: PAPILIONACEAE, previously FABACEAE
Common names: “Groundnut” “potato bean” “hopniss” “Indian potato” “America-hodoimo” “cinnamon vine”
Plant Type: Herbaceous vine
Conditions:
Zone: 3-10
Light: Full sun – light shade
Exposure: Sheltered, best with some support
Soil: Average – poor
Moisture: Moist well drained
Aesthetic:
Plant Size: H 4-8′ W indefinite
Leaf and Stem shape: Pinnate leaves composed of an odd number of simple leaves ovate-lanceolate leaflets
Flower: Fragrant conical racemes of maroon and cream, pea-like flowers
Maintenance: Low – high, low if growing in a contained space as a food crop, high if it is unwanted in the garden and needs to be removed
Landscape use: Container, woodland garden, edible
Propagate: By seed and division
Pests & Disease: Nothing serious
Attracts beneficial insects
Comments: Nitrogen fixer, produces edible tubers which taste similar to sweet potato, native to Texas, can be invasive and troublesome if allowed to grow freely among the garden, it is recommended that this is contained and not allowed to spread into cultivated flower beds
