Air Potato Dioscorea bulbifera

Air potato is an invasive herbaceous, vigorous, twining vine that climbs up other plants for support in the yam family. It will die back in the winter but regrow from tubers in the spring. The fruits vary from pea to grapefruit size and are inedible. The vine can grow up to 70 feet in length quickly, up to 8 inches per day. In North Carolina, air potato has been observed in the Mountains. It is listed as invasive by the NC Invasive Plant Council. 

The Air Potato reproduces in this country mainly vegetatively by underground and aerial tubers, enabling it to spread rapidly. So far only plants with female flowers have been observed in Florida. The aerial fruits are called "bulbil". They are produced at every or every other leaf node and even the smallest one is capable of sprouting. They are either light tan with a smooth surface or dark brown with a rough surface. The underground tubers are similar to the aerial fruits and produce the energy needed to make the aerial fruits. New underground tubers are produced during the growing season.

The leaves can become quite large with a long petiole and are alternate on the stem. The stems twine from right to left around plants or objects and are thick and green. The dead vines then provide a trellis for new growth to climb.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. Lilioceris cheni has been released in Florida to help control the spread of this invasive plant. The beetle lays her eggs in the fruit and the larvae eat the fruit. Invasive, do not plant. Listed on the Watchlist by the NC Invasive Plant Council. See native vine suggestions to the left.