Roots of North America

The Indian Potato(Apios americana) is a twining vine from the pea family, FABACEAE, with edible tubers and edible beans. A chain of round tubers forms just below the soil surface in the Fall. Although the plants are quite shade tolerant the tubers will grow larger if the vines are grown in full sun. Just like the sunchoke tubers, these rhizomes can become invasive if they're not eaten.

The tubers can be separated and used for propagation, as can the beans which will form after the mauve flowers have faded. The skins on these tubers are pretty tough and should really be peeled off. Other than that, Apios americana can be prepared just like a potato. The flavor really is like the common potato.

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