Apios americana
potato bean
A slender, herbaceous perennial climber with edible tubers and leaves made up of five or seven, pointed leaflets. The scented flowers, borne in late summer and early autumn are pea-like, pale brown outside and dark, reddish-brown inside
Other common names
ground nutground pen
see moreIndian potato
mic-mac potato
North American potato bean
North American wild bean
pig potato
potato pea
sagabon
trailing pea
tuberose wisteria
tuberous-rooted wisteria
white apple
wild bean
cinnamon vine
wild wisteria
Synonyms
Apios tuberosa
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Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metresTime to ultimate height
1–2 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Red Brown | Green | ||
| Autumn | Red Brown | Green | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Climbing
- Genus
Apios are a genus of tender, perennial vine which produce edible beans and tubers. Popular during Victorian times, it produced small, scented racemes of purple coloured flowers.
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- N America
How to grow
Cultivation
Plant tubers in moist but well-drained soil in sun or light shade. Will scramble over shrubs, or twine around supports such as bamboo canes
Propagation
Separate tubers in autumn and replant
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Patio and container plants
- Wall side borders
Pruning
No pruning required, will die down in autumn
Pests
Diseases
Generally disease-free
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