Indian Potato Ipomoea pandurata
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Indian Potato:
- Phonetic Spelling
- eye-poh-MEE-a pand-yoor-RAY-tuh
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Wild Potato Vine is a perennial, deciduous, tenacious flowering vine similar to Morning glory and Sweet potato vine. The vine is native to North America and, at maturity, can reach a length of 30 feet. It is showy with large heart-shaped leaves, purple stems, and white flowers with pink to purple centers. It has a long bloom time from spring to fall and the large flowers attract hummingbirds. It typically sprawls along the ground in open areas or climbs vegetation. Wild Potato Vine has large, funnel-shaped, white flowers with reddish purple eyes. The genus name comes from the Greek words ips meaning "worm" and homoios meaning "resembling", referring to the sprawling underground roots of plants in this genus or to the worm-like twining plant habit. The species name means fiddle-like in reference to the leaf shape.
Wild Potato Vine grows in full sun to part shade in average, well-drained soil. It prefers moist conditions but can tolerate drought conditions after it has become established. Its large, starchy, tuberous roots are difficult to eradicate, so it can become weedy in the garden. Remove dead flower heads to prevent self-seeding.
Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Problems:
No major pest or disease problems, but the plant is known to be a host for the sweet potato weevil. The plant can reseed readily in warmer climates and may become problematic if the seedlings are left unchecked.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Ipomoea
- Species:
- pandurata
- Family:
- Convolvulaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Native Americans used the roots for poultices, infusions and teas for treatment of a variety of medical problems.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- South East Canada to Central and Eastern United States.
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts Hummingbirds
- Play Value:
- Wildlife Food Source
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- drought
- Climbing Method:
- Tendrils
- Twining
- Edibility:
- Roots can be eaten cooked, but raw, are a purgative.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Vine
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Climbing
- Creeping
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
- Appendage:
- Tendrils
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- A smooth, oval-shaped capsule (which is 2 celled) contains hairy seeds. Displays from July to October. Fruit opens at maturity to disburse its hairy seeds to the wind.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Funnel
- Trumpet
- Flower Petals:
- fused petals
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- White with centers of lavender, pink or red. Blooms from May to September.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Variable olive green leaves are thin and occasionally fiddle-shaped, with each leaf extending to 3 to 6 inches long with a pointed tip.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Zig Zags
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Stems can have hair or be smooth. Climbing vine has tendrils usually twining, sometimes prostrate or floating. Purplish stems rise from a vertical, starchy root system that matures over time to as much as 4 feet long with a weigh of 25 to 30 pounds.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Rock Wall
- Slope/Bank
- Vertical Spaces
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Screen/Privacy
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Diseases
- Drought
- Insect Pests
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
- Weedy
