Apios americana

Also Known As

Apios americana 'American Groundnut'
Apios tuberosa
Glycine tuberosa
American Ground Nut
Ground Nut

Plant type

perennial, vine, bulb / corm / tuber, fruit / vegetable

size

H: 4'-12'
W: 2'-12'

planting zones

4a-9b

More Options

Apios americana plant details

Apios americana is a broadleaf deciduous perennial bulb / corm / tuber, fruit / vegetable or vine with green foliage. In summer pink and tan flowers emerge. Attracts bees and butterflies making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - mostly shade and even moisture - regular water. Does well in acidic, average, gritty, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant and humidity tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Apios americana

Plant type: perennial bulb / corm / tuber, fruit / vegetable or vine
Plant family: fabaceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 2 FT - 12 FT - wide, 4 FT - 12 FT - tall
Flowers: pink and tan blooms in summer
Uses: cutting garden, fragrant, trellis, vigorous, woodland garden

GROWING CONDITIONS for Apios americana

USDA Zones: 4a - 9b
Sun exposure: sun - mostly shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - regular
Resistant to: heat and humidity
Soil needs: acidic, average, gritty, rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

This interesting vine native to the eastern United States is important historically and also a great addition to the edible landscape! This perennial vine is sometimes called the potato bean, Indian potato, cinnamon vine or American groundnut, among others. Growing from 3-9' long, with bright-green, pinnate leaves in 5-7 leaflets. The unusual pea-like flowers are pink to brown and become edible beans. Remarkably, the plant also produces large edible tubers. The tubers were a large part of the diet of many Native American tribes and were also a staple food of the pilgrims. The tubers are reminiscent of potatoes and must be cooked before they are eaten. This is a wonderful and nutritious vine to add to the edible, native or historical garden. S-PSh/M-W

By: Forestfarm

American Groundnut is a good-looking native vine that produces fragrant flowers and edible tubers. Native throughout the eastern states, it was an important food resource for Native Americans and early colonists, and the high-protein tubers may be boiled, roasted or sauted in many ways (they are not recommended raw). A fine plant for permaculture gardens. It is a vigorous grower, and will rapidly spread underground, so give it plenty of space. Pinkish-brown 2 inch flowers emerge in mid-summer on herbaceous vines that will reach to 8 ft. Culture -- good sun to a little shade, in deep friable soil. We will ship a "necklace" of young tubers, which should be planted horizontally, about 3 inches deep.

By: Summersweet Gardens at Perennial Pleasures

I first saw this growing in the wild while kayaking with the family on Broad River in Georgia. My first thought was "look at that marvelous red Wisteria" until I realized it was Ground Nut; Apios americana. The beautiful clusters of red flowers were hanging gently over a quiet edge of the river. I knew its wonderful history as a staple crop of the Native Americans and how it helped early European settlers survive, but I never expected it to be so pretty in person! Easy to grow and good in wet areas, Apios americana is an herbaceous perennial twiner with clusters of up to a dozen little flowers and a long bloom season. Its native habitat runs from the Gulf of Mexico all the way deep into New England and out to the Midwest. Bloom Season: June to Sept. Scent: lightly sweet. Flower Size: 1/2 in. each. Origin: Eastern US Native, Groundnut.