American Groundnut (Apios americana)

American Groundnut

(Apios americana)

Lauren McLaurin

CC BY 4.0

Image By: Lauren McLaurin

Recorded By:

Estimated Native Range

Summary

Apios americana, commonly known as American Groundnut or Potato Bean, is a perennial vine notable for its edible beans and large, nutritious tubers. It thrives in a variety of wetland habitats, including riparian zones, swamps, and moist woodlands, from Southern Canada through to Florida and westward to the border of Colorado. The vine can reach lengths of 1–6 m (3.3–19.7 ft), with pinnate leaves 8–15 cm (3.1–5.9 in) long, each bearing 5–7 leaflets. The flowers, which bloom from late summer to early fall, are typically pink, purple, or red-brown and form dense racemes 7.5–13 cm (3.0–5.1 in) in length. The fruit is a legume pod 5–13 cm (2.0–5.1 in) long, and the tubers are actually rhizomatous stems, which are a source of food for both wildlife and humans.

American Groundnut is valued for its adaptability and the nutritional value of its tubers, which have been a traditional food source for Indigenous peoples. It is used in restoration projects, naturalized plantings, and permaculture gardens. This vine prefers moist, well-drained soils and can tolerate a range of light conditions from full sun to partial shade. While it is relatively low-maintenance, it can become aggressive in garden settings if not managed properly. The plant is a larval host for the Silver-spotted Skipper butterfly (Epargyreus clarus), adding to its ecological value.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Vine
Height: 8-15 feet
Width: 2-6 feet
Growth Rate: Rapid
Flower Color: Brown, Purple
Flowering Season: Spring
Leaf Retention: Deciduous

Growth Requirements

Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
Water: Medium
Drainage: Fast, Medium, Slow

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Fragrant, Potted Plant, Showy Flowers, Water Garden

Natural Habitat

Wetland habitats, including riparian zones, swamps, and moist woodlands

Other Names

Common Names: Potato Bean, Hopniss, America-Hodoimo, Cinnamon Vine, Indian Potato, American Potatobean

Scientific Names: , Apios americana, Apios tuberosa, Glycine apios, Apios americana var. turrigera, Apios apios, Apios americana f. americana, Apios americana f. cleistogama, Apios americana f. keihneri, Apios americana f. mcculloughii

GBIF Accepted Name: Apios americana Medik.