Air Potato: Identifying Characteristics
Habitat:
Air potato grows aggressively in a variety of habitats, from pine flatwoods to hardwood hammocks, forest edges and roadsides. It will grow in both disturbed and undisturbed soils.
Size/Form:
The plant is a twining, deciduous vine that grows 60 - 70' long. It branches out in all directions as it grows and it produces aerial tubers, or bulbils, which appear along the stem and have a potato-like appearance. The bulbils generally range from marble-sized to tennis-ball-sized, but they can occasionally be much larger. When freezing weather in the wintertime kills the above-ground portion of the plant, the bulbils drop to the ground where they eventually sprout in the springtime to form new vines.
Leaves:
The leaves are large, about 8" long, simple and alternately-arranged. They are broadly heart-shaped (cordate) and have rounded leaf bases and long petioles. The leaves have obvious, deep venation (rugose veins). The leaf margin is smooth.
Flowers:
Flowers are rare, appearing in panicles or spikes to 4 in long.
Fruit:
The fruit, which is also rare, is a small capsule, with partially-winged seeds.