Dr. R. Neil Reese NPB 249B, Box 2140D South Dakota State University Brookings, SD 57007-2142 Phone: (605) 688-4568 Email: Neil_Reese@sdstate.edu	| BACK TO MAIN PAGE |

Family name : Fabaceae Scientific name : Apios americana Common name : American potato bean, groundnut Native American name : Dakota: Additional Notes : *In the 1980's Native Americans on the Lake Traverse Reservation began to document "Mdo" in this format. Apios americana is a(n) perennial herb, which grows 1 to 5 m in height. This species is commonly found in moist woods, stream banks, and prairie ravines. The leaves are alternate; leaflets ovate to lance-ovate. Apios americana has white to brown-purple flowers that bloom from June to August. Click here for more information about the life cycle of Apios americana. Horticulture Notes     Glossary Seed Collection : Collect seed in August-October  Germination : Stratification  Vegetative Propagation : Division of the tubers in the spring or autumn  Soils : Sandy and well-drained  Light : Full sun  Water : Dry to moist conditions  Notes : One of the most attractive vines around. The plants do well in partial shade, especially where they receive morning sun and are protected during the afternoon. They do best in a moist, mulched soil and can grow to 3 m in length. They produce a profusion of flowers in late July to August. However, in Brookings we have never seen fruit produced. They are easily propagated using the tubers. The vines can be aggressive if you don’t control their number by harvesting tubers in the fall. The tubers are high in protein and starch, and can be prepared much like sweet potatoes.

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